Today this image says it all.

Good advice!

Candlewick Anglers Fish Club

3-29-13 today is my last day on the ice. When I got off today the ice was grey and the shores are thin. The water is clear and pool level is back to normal. Excellent year of ice fishing and I'm looking forward to spring. 

They can always use more help

Saturday, April 6 will be the first goose egg addling of the year. We really need to control our population of geese and this is your opportunity to help. Please meet at the rec center at 9 a.m. to get started. The eggs will be  covered with oil so they will not hatch. If the eggs are simply broken the geese will re-lay eggs so this more time consuming method must be used.
Personally I prefer the 12 gauge solution for about 95% of the goose population but I am told that is illegal.
Ken

How much we have changed

I remember so well in my early days working in retail supermarkets what happened on Good Friday. The vast majority of stores if not all closed for three hours in the afternoon so everyone could go to worship during that time. Those days have now passed along with stores being closed on Sundays, which was also commonplace back then. 
Payless Foods opened in Rockford on State Street west of Alpine. That store was open Sundays and it spread through the other stores in order to remain competitive.
Like so many aspects of life, these were times and attitudes that are gone forever. Too bad. 
Some of us still remember the meaning of Good Friday.
Ken

Yep, this one got to me

Barb A. posted this and it is very touching. I hope the link works for you.  Ken
Unconditional love.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JA8VJh0UJtg?rel=0

Passing this along from a reader

This is from the AT&T site. Please be aware.  Ken

809 Area Code Scam

Recommended for: 

Individuals

, 

Parents

This long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284, 649, or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, etc. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged higher international call rates until they receive their bill.

We all knew it was coming. Brace yourselves!

A little late for Saint Patrick's Day

How many of you have wondered what "Skip to my Lou" actually means in the old song? I know some readers will not remember this song but to us older folks it is very familiar.
It seems this is an old Irish song and the word for love or lover in Irish is "LOO". Over the years in this country it was changed to "LOU" as in a name but it actually means skip to my lover. 
Well, at least I thought it was interesting.  Ken

Information posted upon request from a reader

This question will be on the April 9th ballot.

As I posted the prior story

I noticed the count was 9999. Not sure if the counter will go to more than four digits. I guess we will find out and this is a perfect time to thank all of you for your readership. If you weren't reading it would be pointless to write.  Ken

Odd, but what a nice gesture!

 I was in a store today picking up a pair of shoes for Fran. While in line I talked to the lady in front of me as we waited. When her turn to check out came she grabbed the shoes I had put on the conveyor and placed them with her purchases, saying "I am going to pay for your shoes!" The conversation went something like this....
"You are not paying for my shoes" (as I took them back)
"Yes I am" (as she once again took them)
"No you are not, and they aren't my shoes, they are my wife's!"
"Then I am paying for your wife's shoes"
"you are embarrassing me"
"Our minister said to do something nice for a stranger and I am paying for your wife's shoes"
At that point I gave up and she paid for Fran's shoes.
I said "I know what you're doing, I won't have a receipt and I will get stopped for shoplifting and you will look through the windows at me and laugh!!!"
With that she smiled, gave me the receipt, said "Happy Easter",and left the store. I will probably never see her again but I will say she made a good Christian impression.
Ken

Weekly weigh-in

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE

                               THIS WEEK                TOTAL LOST

STEVE               Lost 1 pounds            Lost 17 pounds !

BONNIE             Lost 1 pounds            Lost 11 1/2 pounds!

PAUL                 Lost 0 pounds            Lost 5 1/2 pounds

KARL                 Gained 1pound           Lost 3 1/2 pounds

RICH                  Lost 1 pound               Lost 7 1/2 pounds

KEN                   Lost 3 pounds             Gained 1 pound

Paul is on the road and unable to weigh in this week.

Weekly Public Safety report

Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety

 

WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 3/24/2013

Rescue Calls

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Staffordshire for a report of a subject having trouble breathing.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Talladega for a report of a subject feeling ill.  The subject was transported.

Public Safety responded to the 2000 Candlewick Dr. for a report of a subject who had fallen and needed assistance.  The subject refused treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Hastings for a subject who had fallen and needed assistance. 

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Pembroke for a report of a subject vomiting for a few days.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 600 block of Constitution for a report of a subject with high blood pressure.  The subject was transported.

Suspicious Vehicles

Public Safety responded to the 700 block of Marquette for a report of a suspicious vehicle.  The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

Public Safety observed a suspicious vehicle at the outpost.  It was determined that it was a resident who lived in the area.

Traffic Crash

Public Safety responded to the 600 block of Candlewick for a report of a traffic crash with injuries.  Public Safety assisted with traffic control and a subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the area of Oak Tree Park for a report of a vehicle in a ditch.  The vehicle was removed and there were no injuries.

Citations Issued 5

Warnings Issued 7

 

 

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

Being informed is half the battle.  

March 23rd ice fishing?

I would have never believed Candlewick Lake would have ice this thick in late March. Looks like Chuck Hart (and a few others I know of) are taking full advantage of the late spring. Look at the size of those Crappies. 
Ken

Thanks Jim & Tom

 A personal note to let you know how much I have enjoyed the fish you guys have provided Fran and I this winter. There is nothing like fresh fillets from the icy cold waters of Candlewick Lake.
Ken

A Sunday thought

You know how sometimes a person makes a statement and it really sticks? Last Sunday the minister from Rockford First said “Don't ever confuse prominence with significance.” He was of course referring to those in the church who feel they are of little value to the church as a whole. He used the analogy of having a little toe that is painful. The rest of the body finds it hard to function when it is difficult to walk and there is now a limp. Of course his point was well taken.

This happened to be on the same day as our annual meeting and the message flowed right into my thoughts of the meeting and the importance of each property owner. As the elected board members are sworn in they take a position of prominence in the community. That only means they have a platform from which to state their views and vote accordingly.

The property owners are the ones that really matter. Those property owners chose to elect the board members and can just as quickly vote them out next time. We can not pass the CC&Rs without the necessary votes of the P.O.s. We can not even have the annual meeting without the P.O.s support. There are so many volunteers or simply voters who do their part to make this community work and they do it without fanfare or recognition.

You are very important people and your community can not work without you. You are appreciated for all you do and please never doubt your importance here.

Ken

Summer job openings

Notice the new header picture?

Look at the new picture I put at the top of the page. This is not an unusual number of geese to have on our lake each night. I have seen many more at times. They are so loud they keep a person awake but that is not the real problem. We will be paying over a quarter of a million dollars for an alum treatment to clear your lake water and these geese are polluting the lake as if they are dumping bags of fertilizer in each night. I know Lake Management is looking into this. I spoke with Joe Rush (biologist/lake manager) briefly yesterday and Chuck Hart and I have discussed it so I know options are being considered.
Ken

Everyone must have some of these

Please bring any  board games to the rec center for the kid's enjoyment. Of course the games must have all the necessary pieces. Thanks for your consideration.   Ken

Here's the gym schedule

Such a simple idea but amazing!

The initial purpose is for underdeveloped countries but think of this for camping, night fishing, etc. This should be huge!   Ken

Posted in Science, 12th December 2012 10:57 GMT

Vid An ingenious gravity-powered light source has reached its first funding goal in four days. Co-invented by industrial designer Martin Riddiford - who crafted Psion's hardware - the cheap kit allows an LED to be run for 30 minutes from a three-second pull on a rope. Gravity does the rest.
The GravityLight was devised with developing countries in mind - areas without sophisticated power grids, and where low wages leave batteries and solar panels prohibitively expensive. The kit includes an LED lamp and a sack that is filled with sand, rocks or whatever is to hand. The bag is attached to a rope threaded through a mechanism that generates the electricity: after pulling the sack up, it slowly descends, feeding the cord through the machine and powering the electric dynamo.
This video demonstrates how it works:

Once produced in volume, the unit could cost as little as $5 per unit at wholesale.
The first round of public fundraising exceeded a $55,000 target, which is intended to pay for tooling and produce the first units.
Both Riddiford and co-inventor Jim Reeves are directors at London-based Therefore, whose clever industrial designs range from the hand-pulled Rok espresso machine to the TomTom satnav. The company was founded with an equity investment from Psion founder Sir David Potter, and it designed all the celebrated British computer company's casings, from the MC series laptops through to the Wavefinder DAB radio.
"We've done a number of projects, including the Psion products - where the requirements were incredibly efficient in terms of power usage," Riddiford told The Reg. "The digital age has made products much power hungry but now there’s a reversal of that – everyone’s chasing lower power again."
The GravityLight is no substitute for the modern power grids developing countries need - but it in the interim it could save people relying on biomass fuels and kerosene, which are bad for one's health.
The team is investigating using the GravityLight for powering other devices such as water purifiers or even mobiles, and how they can work in serial or parallel.

It is called the "affordable health care act" Hmmmm

What do you think?

There has been talk for some time about the possibility of a dog park here in Candlewick. Fran and I no longer own a dog but I think it may be a good idea. We have unused areas that could be utilized and the cost would only include fencing and small incidentals.
Currently dog owners have to drive half way to Rockford to the dog park on Hiway 20 and this is an expense in itself. Would you be willing to kick in a few dollars to help with the cost? Do you think businesses would be willing to pay to tastefully advertise with a sign on the fencing? How do you feel about the idea in general?
I know from experience dogs need to run. Our dog "Snort" was lucky enough to have room to run free when we lived north of Marengo and when chained he was miserable. Heart worm got the old boy but he is not forgotten. He looked like the one pictured above. 
What do you think? Feedback welcome, and if you want me to post it that is fine also. Let me know.  Ken

April Rec Center flyer

Spring Break activities

Call the Rec Center at 765-1943 to register your child

Volunteers needed!

Notes from the Tuesday 3/19/2013 meeting

The election of officers for the 2013/2014 year were as follows...
President Don Parisi, Vice president Bonnie Marron, Treasurer Jeff Lutzow, and Secretary Chuck Corso. Bonnie Marron was thanked for the huge amount of her time taken in the president's post for the last two years as well as her involvement in so many other activities. It was a hugely time consuming job.
Jeff Lutzow reported the finances of CWL are still strong with total cash on hand including reserves and operating cash of $3,560,378. He also reported on our ongoing successes in our collection efforts on delinquent accounts.
I reported on the Road Commission's first meeting. Official minutes will not be available until ratified during the next commission meeting but I am happy to announce Randy Budreau agreed to take the vice chairmanship and Don Parisi will be secretary. Although I would have preferred a non-board member to chair I will be chairing again this year. We are also fortunate to have Norm Pierce, Caledonia Road Commissioner on board as a member again this year. We also plan to hire a project coordinator to oversee the work this year as well as our maintenance manager Jeff, who will be more involved this year. He has a lot of road experience as well. It should be a productive year.
Karl Steiskal reported the Rec Commission has many activities in the works. Michele, the rec director, mentioned programs such as dance and fitness, toning, yoga (which has 85 participants), and another social program for kids that has 23 families with 30 kids participating. She also hopes to initiate kickball, T-ball for tykes, and super soccer so there are many activities active or in the works.
Steve Lambright reported goose egg addling will be starting soon so contact Jim Brefeld to sign up to help. He also said Lake Management would like to open Highland Valley park for kayak launching now for people wanting to kayak early since part of the lake is open. Granted.
Bonnie Marron reported the Legal Committee is looking into electric aggragation with an opt out option as well as proxy changes for next year.
Chuck Corso reported the Golf Commission is thinking about a CWL handicap tournament as well as an end of year open tourney. They also support the initiative suggested by the communications commission regarding golfing promotions. Savannah Oaks is looking for clubhouse help this year since Stew will be concentrating more on the course maintenance rather than trying to handle both the clubhouse and course. Apply at the office or to Stew if interested.
Bad debt and accounting adjustments were written off in the amount of $975.04 and $1,083.68 respectively.
The board voted to buy another ABDI license in the amount of $1,600 to facilitate the additional service system requirements of our computer system operations.
The board voted to enter an agreement with Francine Mills to lease the Dockside Grill. It will be a full service restaurant as has been the custom. She has some new ideas and what appears to be a good value priced menu to offer along with specials. This was a tough decision because there was another interested party that had a differing view of the operation, including some games for the kids and more of a fast food environment. Both were good presentations but the board went with what seemed to be the consensus of the feedback from the community, wanting the standard restaurant atmosphere to which they have become accustomed. The firm opening date is to be announced after a little remodeling and preparation. It will probably be very early June.
Roscoe Disposal was granted the ability to sub-contract some of their work, guaranteeing small trucks only, being more cognizant of road edge damage, better service, enhanced office customer service, and other improvements.
The Communications Commission will be allowed to pursue a golf outing directed to the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce as well as a realtors open house with a brunch or breakfast followed by a tour to promote the Candlewick community and all it has to offer. They are also considering a new flyer to be used in the promotion of our community's amenities.
The Caledonia Road clean up is scheduled for April 13 at 1 P.M. Feel free to meet at the west gate to help with this effort. The annual Community clean-up is also in the works. The date will be May 4 with a rain date of May 5. Please contact Chuck Corso to sign up and for details. I believe sign-up sheets will be in the office and rec center as usual.
Immanuel Lutheran Church will once again be allowed to use the Outpost for Vacation Bible School June 24 through June 28^th. There is no cost to families that wish to participate.
These are simply my notes and observations so please check the Candlewick Paper for ratified minutes. Ken

Related to a post yesterday

Cypress banks are closed as is their stock market. Ugly.   Ken

Lawmakers in Cyprus have rejected government plans to impose an unprecedented tax on bank deposits, throwing into doubt a €10 billion euro bailout agreed with the European Union just three days ago.

Failure to secure emergency loans from the EU would leave Cyprus facing a banking collapse and default.

This is gettin' ugly (for me)

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE

                               THIS WEEK                     TOTAL LOST

STEVE               Lost 0 pounds                   Lost 16 pounds !

BONNIE             Gained 1/2 pounds            Lost 10 1/2 pounds!

PAUL                 Lost 1 pounds                    Lost 6 1/2 pounds

KARL                 Lost 0 pounds                    Lost 4 1/2 pounds

RICH                  Lost 3 pounds                    Lost 6 1/2 pounds

KEN                   Gained 1 pound                 Gained 4 pounds

I should mention

I see a lot of readers are still coming here through the old Pride site using the link provided there. I can tell because the counter on the site keeps going up and has gained thousands since abandoned. That is fine but some day that site will be gone since there is no further posting there. If I could just suggest bookmarking this site as a precaution.
Thanks,   Ken

Weekly Public Safety report

Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety

 

WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 03/17/2013

Rescue Calls

Public Safety responded to the 600 block of Candlewick Dr. for a report of a subject who had fallen off his motorcycle.  The subject refused transport for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Queens Pl. for a report of a subject who had taken unknown amounts of medication.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Damaged Property

Public Safety responded to the West Gate for a report of damage to the gate arm.  A report was taken, the matter was investigated and the responsible party identified.

Disorderly Conduct

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Benedict for a report of a subject looking into the window of a neighboring residence.  The subject was identified and warned of his actions.

Citations Issued 7

Warnings Issued 13

Public Safety will be conducting extra traffic enforcement in the 1200 Candlewick Dr. this week.

 

 

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

Being informed is half the battle.  

Another excerpt related to the last article I posted

Scary isn't it! This is what happens sooner or later in an entitlement society as the U.S. has become.   Ken

Yes, it can happen... and could here

What you are reading below is about a new law in Cypress enacting a "one time" tax on money deposited in banks. When a country is broke the unimaginable can happen. Read on.   Ken

'People betrayed'

President Anastasiades is currently briefing lawmakers at the parliament building in Nicosia, which has been cordoned off to prevent protests.

The president has indicated he is trying to amend the levy demand.

The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Nicosia, says there are suggestions Mr Anastasiades is looking at lowering the cost to those with smaller savings.

Under the currently agreed terms, depositors with less than 100,000 euros in Cyprus accounts would have to pay a one-time tax of 6.75%. Those with sums over that threshold would pay 9.9%.

Pictures from the annual meeting.

Below are some pictures Barb Appelhans supplied from the annual meeting. We easily had a quorum since you folks followed through so well. The meeting went smoothly and only lasted around forty minutes so no dissention. Thank you, Ken

Scout Troup 77 color guard leads the pledge of allegiance before the start of the annual meeting. 

Board vice president Ken Dillenburg swears in the newly elected board members (left to right) Chuck Corso, Karl Steiskal, and Bonnie Marron to their new three year terms.

Your Candlewick Board of Directors (left to right) Don, Karl, Ken, Bonnie, Jeff, Steve, and Chuck

Just curious... how many remember this?

When I was a kid in Iowa it was traditional for your Dad to bring home a dyed chick or baby rabbit on Easter as a gift for the children. This was all fine but the dye disappeared in not too long a time and all you had was a growing rabbit or chicken. Many of these animals met an untimely demise by being simply turned loose to fend for themselves after they were no longer "cute."
I am not sure if this is something that was just a local tradition or more widespread but I doubt you would see it today, and that is probably a good thing. It really was kind of a cruel practice.
Ken

A good thought, but it will not work

A few months ago I made the statement I intended to make this year's election of board officers a true election by having at least two members nominated for each position. I find it isn't feasible. Some board members do not want anything more than a board seat due to the time involved in some officer positions as well as other considerations. I can't nominate members who flat out don't want a position or want only one of the available posts. Some posts may still have more than one nomination but it can not be all encompassing.
Ken

Tuesday's board meeting agenda

A Sunday consideration

In times of quietness, our hearts should be like a tree, lifting their branches to heaven to draw down strength which they will need to face the storms that will surely come in life.

Salesians of Don Bosco

Lunch with the Easter Bunny!

Barb Appelhans pictures and copy.   Thank you Barb!

Cooks for lunch with the Easter Bunny were Tim Vronch, Marty Boesen and Karl Steiskal.

Dennis Shaver, Grandson Nolan Demke-2, Daughter Stori, Grandma Teri and Granddaughter Jordan Demke-5 enjoy coloring and crafts before the Easter Bunny arrives.

Sandy Morse, Bonnie Marron, Michelle Vronch and (don’t know her name) serve lunch.

Brant Smith-8 squeals with delight to get a hug from bunny.

Jordan Dimke-5 gives the Bunny a big hug.

The Easter egg hunt was moved indoors because of bad weather.  

Golden ticket winner Jaxon Novack-4

Golden ticket winner Alyssa Ferraro-8

Golden ticket winner Virginia McMillan-10

Golden ticket winner Molly Verhagen-2

You came through again

 Barring something unexpected the annual meeting should be held with no problem. The proxies we need for quorum are in place. Thank you.   Ken

What we say really won't matter

 I know you are getting tired of me posting about the "sequester" but here we go again. Thursday I was reading Business Week and of course being the liberal magazine it is all the disastrous consequences of sequestration were being discussed. Although most of the points were ridiculous one stood out as another example of poor controls. 
 Mexican vegetable farmers were having longer waits when exporting their wares into the U.S. due to homeland security being forced to cut overtime the guards have been receiving. If we are paying overtime here is a thought, hire some part time guards and the overtime would never have been an expense in the first place. 
 I remember when I had my first store management job the owner telling me he had yet to see anyone who worked one and one half times as hard when on overtime. I have never forgotten that. It was an excellent point.
Ken