Newsletter – November 2009

PONDS REMEDIATION
     The remediation on both Hawthorn ponds is complete and the new grass is coming up. We have paid the contractor for this phase minus the normal 10% hold back.
     The work on Glover Pond is complete but it is too soon to determine if the grass is going to grow. There are about three or four sump pump drains on Glover Pond that need attention from the homeowners. These will cause erosion problems that will be unsightly and detrimental to the new shore line. The repairs are the responsibility of the homeowner.
     The aerator on Magnolia Pond was run for about two weeks. It was shut down for the winter during the week of Nov. 16 and will be restarted on May 1, 2010. It is hoped this addition will keep Magnolia clear of algae with reduced chemical treatment.
     Your homeowners’ association is spending a great amount of money (YOUR MONEY) to make our ponds safe and attractive. Please be vigilant and stop people from throwing rocks into the ponds and take care of your shore lines. Also be on the look-out for people damaging equipment and signs. Recently, one of the signs from Park Pond had been removed from its posthole and was found submerged at the shore.

HALLOWEEN PARADE AND FESTIVITIES
     The Social Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the Costume Contest at the Halloween Parade and Festivities which was held on Oct. 25 at Crestwood Park:
     0-2 yrs.  Funniest: Jillian Eichelkrauet
                   Scariest: Charles Brock
                   Most Original: Kaitlyn Beyers
     3-4 yrs.  Funniest: Owen Birt
                   Scariest: Emma Rydell
                   Most Original: Owen Battzell
     5-6 yrs.  Funniest: Mariska Harshbarger
                   Scariest: Ramsen Primmor
                   Most Original: Atleigh Hamilton
     7-9 yrs.  Funniest: Katie Cramer
                   Scariest: Blake Primmor
                   Most Original: Hailey Burke
     10-12 yrs.  Funniest: Kristen Campbell
                       Scariest: Tristan Birt
                       Most Original: Alexis Brock
     Pictures of the event can be seen in the Photo Gallery at Crestlake.org.
     A special Thank You goes to Rhonda and Steve Littlefield who generously donated all the pumpkins for the event. St. Joseph IGA provided a generous discount on the Halloween cookies as well. A big Thank You also goes to all the volunteers who judged the costumes, led the games, popped the popcorn and manned the information tables.
     The Board of Directors especially wishes to thank the members of the Social Committee who worked so hard to organize such a wonderful event. They donated their time and paid for many items themselves: Dianne Gorvin, Janilyn Dailey, Meredith Emert and Rhonda Littlefield.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
     The November Neighborhood Watch meeting/holiday party was held at La Luna Cafe on Nov. 19. The starting time was moved back to 7:30 p.m. in the hope that more Crestlake residents would be able to attend.
     La Luna owner and Crestlake resident Steve Chahine provided a table for our group in an area that allowed us to talk about Neighborhood Watch topics and socialize without disturbing other patrons. He also provided attendees with wonderful fresh-made potato chips to snack on. We are all grateful to La Luna for their ability to host the meeting/party despite limited information about how many people would be in attendance.
     Not as many people came as we had hoped, but more people came than have attended any other Neighborhood Watch meeting. In addition, one of the people who attended, Tim Parker, agreed to become a Block Captain. We are delighted to have his help in making the Crestlake Neighborhood Watch program a success. We all enjoyed the party and got some work done at the same time.
     One of the topics discussed was how to encourage participation by the residents of Crestlake in Neighborhood Watch. The possibility of including social activities, such as game nights and similar activities as part of the meetings, were considered. The January meeting will focus on developing a plan for social, informational and fund raising activities to be held in 2010. If you have suggestions or would like to help in organizing activities, please contact Ginny Bolan or come to the January Neighborhood Watch meeting.
     There will not be a Neighborhood Watch meeting in December.  The next meeting will be held on Jan. 21, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will again be held at La Luna Cafe. If you would like child care to be provided during the January meeting, this service must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Michele Guido.

LEAVES AND BRUSH PICKUP
     The Village of St. Joseph will provide leaf pickup through Dec. 4. On a weekly basis, rake your leaves to the curb and the Village Public Works Department will come by and vacuum them. Do not bag your leaves or they will not be picked up.
     The village has finished picking up brush, branches and plants for 2009. If you still have this type of yard waste sitting along the curb, please haul it away yourself. Do not let in remain there until spring.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at the St. Joseph Township Building, 400 W. Sherman St. We encourage all Crestlake residents to attend and we hope to see you there.
     The Annual Meeting for the membership of Crestlake Homeowners’ Association is scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2010.
     We would like to introduce the newest member of your board: Art Rapp, 401 Aspen Court.

NEWSLETTERS
     Spread the word and remind your neighbors to visit Cestlake.org and sign up to receive additional announcements like this via email. Newsletters and meeting reminders will be emailed regularly. Newsletters sent via email are the primary method of communicating with Crestlake property owners. Currently, only about half of Crestlake families have signed up to receive these newsletters.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION
     Through Dec. 4                    Village leaf pick-up
     Tuesday, Dec. 1  7:00 p.m.  Village Planning Commission meeting
     Tuesday, Dec. 8  7:00 p.m.  Village Board meeting
     Tuesday, Dec. 8  7:30 p.m.  Township Board meeting
     Thursday, Dec. 10  7:00 p.m.  Crestlake Board of Directors meeting
     Monday, Dec. 14  7:30 p.m.  Grade School Board of Education Meeting
     Tuesday, Dec. 22  7:00 p.m.  Village Board meeting
     Monday, Dec. 28  7:00 p.m.  High School Board of Education meeting
     Sunday, Jan 17  TBD  Crestlake Homeowners’ annual meeting

     See the Calendar of Events at Crestlake.org for more details on these events and for more community events.