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April, 2024
The official (and ONLY) online publication of the BIRCH LAKE YACHT CLUB |
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Please note:
Some Internet Service Provider services (including Comcast and AOL) block the Online Birch Barker as "spam," and refuse to send it out. Unfortunately, if you use one of these there services, there is nothing we can do to ensure you will receive it. If you are not getting the Barker via email, you may be able to contact your provider and ask to "unblock" or "whitelist" it and/or the email address onlinebarker@gmail.com so you can receive the Online Barker and Lake-related special notices. |
Although they may be rushing the season a bit, a fair number of lakers have already put piers, lifts and boats into the water in preparation for spring. Most have seen at least a skiff of snow on their equipment while they wait for warmer weather.
Commodore's Comments
Mark your calendars for May 18, the date of our Birch Lake Yacht Club annual Spring Dinner. Don’t put away your Easter bonnet so fast as the theme this year is “Derby Days,” and we’d like to see all the women attendees in traditional Derby hats. Gentlemen, you are pretty much off the hook for a bonnet, but a bow tie and seersucker suit would get your picture in the Memorial Day Barker. The dinner is at Pineview golf course this year. Your choice of roasted chicken or savory beef roast. Tickets can be purchased online or via the mail at $40 per person. Cash bar available. Please see ad in this Barker for more information. Free drink ticket for the most fashionable male and the most creative hat on a female!
With piers sprouting up all over the lake and spring flowers starting to peek through the ground, we are looking forward to the Summer of 2024. Welcome back to the lake!
In the “Did you know?“ section of this month’s Barker, I ran across an article from the 1957 Lansing State Journal that that lends credence to Birch Lake’s role in the Underground Railroad. The following are excerpts from that article:
“Divers Bring Up Wheels Of Old Wagon from Lake” by Neil Hunter
“Water-weary, and wondering if they had really come up with the rear wheels of a civil war wagon, three Lansing skin divers Monday turned over the fruits of their weekend efforts to the Michigan historical commission for study to two museum curators … After retrieving the rear assemblage of a wagon from Birch Lake in the Cassopolis/Vandalia area, they hope that they had found the long talked about vehicle used more than a century ago by Kentucky Raiders seeking runaway slaves in southwestern Michigan. All appeared, though rusty and molted from age, to first observers as hand forged and quite old. A number of area residents had steered them (the divers) to the location somewhere 100 feet offshore in 6 feet of water. “We found a piece of steel, and then a second kind of connecting strip almost at once. They were right where the wagon was supposed to have been."
Throngs of interested persons watched the operation. “After the wheels, still on the rear wagon axle, were brought up, one spectator wanted to purchase the “find” on the spot. The interested buyer said upon inspection that the entire assembly was hand forged and could easily be a century old. Several other bystanders were positive that the wagon parts were the real thing. Almost all of the wood had rotted away, though several aged pieces were attached with hand fashioned bolts. Close observation showed no stampings or outward marks on the metal. The wheels are about 3 feet high and the axle about 6 feet wide. The springs are an early type …
The wagon has long been the subject of stories about the underground railroad that once shuttled slaves to freedom. History has it that a party of raiding Kentuckians once left a buggy type wagon in a woods near Vandalia, and proceeded on foot to search for the slaves. According to folklore, irate Vandalia and Cassopolis citizens who aided the underground movement, found the Raiders wagon and drove it into Birch Lake.
Of the numerous observers at Birch Lake, a farm implement dealer spoke positively that the wagon parts predated 1900. He said they could easily be of Civil War vintage.
That story has been handed from father to son for a century.
That story, with some embellishment, was certainly handed down to me from my father. His version pinpointed the find to be offshore from the Steve and Deborah Curtis’ home on the northeast side. Anyone that has any more information on this please send it on.
As my father said, “ May the memories remain, and the view stay the same“ on our golden pond.
~Commodore Sue Davis
New rule for parking at the boat launch
Starting April 1 anyone who parks at the boat launch will need an annual pass sticker from the Cass County Parks. Costs are $15.00 for county residents and $30 for non-residents. Anyone can still use the launch but if you want to park then an annual pass will be required. Passes can be obtained from the Cass County Parks office in Cassopolis, or pick up an envelope at Dr. Lawless entrance and send in your payment. This pass is good for parking at all the Cass County parks.
~Birch Lake Home Owners Association
Spaghetti Dinner information
The spaghetti dinner this year will be on June 29. Please come and join, your fellow Birch Lake neighbors at the Yacht Club from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., for an “Authentic”
Italian spaghetti dinner.
We will be serving regular and gluten free spaghetti with the world famous Niezgodski red marinara sauce and the super rich Plaia Alfredo sauce, along with Italian meatballs and a freshly made tossed salad accompanied by Italian bread and butter and delicious homemade desserts. Water, ice tea and lemonade will be provided. Feel free to bring a bottle of vino to round out your dining experience. Carry-out will be available.
Tickets for this magnificent meal will be sold at the Spring dinner, May 18. Adults (11
& up) are$10, Children (5-10) $6, Little Ones (4 & under) free. Tickets can also be purchased from Vickie Rogers (Cove) 269-476-2383, Leslie King (North shore) 574-276-9996, Cam Butler(West shore) 574-596-1066, Sue Williams (South shore) 574-298-2839. Please make sure to purchase your tickets before June 24, WILL NOT be sold at the door June 29.
Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to the Birch Lake Yacht Club building improvement fund. There will be a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to Water Quality.
Looking forward to sharing a meal with all of our lake neighbors and their guests.
The Spaghetti Dinner Committee would like to thank the following individuals for their generosity and time. Without their help the Annual Spaghetti Dinner would not be a success.
Ron, Kathy and Bobby Niezgodski - Consultants and door ticket takers
Tom Kuhn and Jan Temple - Donating the regular and gluten free spaghetti
Greg Bolin and Dennis Geik - Spaghetti cooks
Dan Waxman - Donating the Italian bread, butter and dish washer/clean-up
Jim Calderwood- Bread server
Amber Gundy, Camp Tannadoonah - Use of kitchen
Lynn & Marc Caenepeel and Deb & Bud Hall - Donating salad fixings and salad table servers
Debbie & Carmen Soldato - Donating drinks
Steve Plaia & Karen Brovold - Donating Alfredo sauce and clean-up
Peggy Geik - Serving dinner and dessert maker
Julie & Mike Sheffieck - Cookie maker and dessert table sever, dinner server and set-up
Cindy & Kevin Bernaciak - 50/50 raffle
Jennifer & John Ball - Dinner servers
Bruce Wagner - Parmesan cheese server
Claudia Phipps - Dessert chairperson
Bill Butler - set-up and clean-up
Vickie Rogers, Leslie King, Cam Butler & Sue Williams - ticket sales
Stacia Andriano - Donating supplies
We are still looking for additional donations and help for the dinner, if you would like to volunteer, please contact Stacia Andriano @ 260-710-5883, Karen Brovold @ 269-362-3150 or Cam Butler @ 574-596-1066.
~GRAZIE MILLE, The Spaghetti Dinner Committee
BLYC, Facebook and social media
The Birch Lake Yacht Club DOES NOT have a Facebook page, nor is it participating in any form of social media. If you see Birch Lake Yacht Club information on any social media, the information has not been provided, checked or approved by the BLYC, and may be incorrect or misleading. If you have questions or concerns, please check http://www.philvitale.com/Barker/BirchBarker.htm, or contact any BLYC director or officer (see “officer and director” information in any edition of the printed or online Barker).
Birch Barker Kids of the Month
Birch Lakers Bill Luecht (left), Sandy and Phil Vitale (center), all of the east shore, were joined by frequent lake visitors Rick and Lisa Dwenger (left center) and Karen Evans and Chuck Horn (right) on a BVI sailing adventure in March. Rumor has it the sailing was superb and a good time was had by all.
 Nostalgia ... Birch Lake Babes of an earlier era ... from right, Les King (north shore) with two longtime Birch Lake friends, Lisa Dwenger and Karen Evans, both of central Indiana |
 Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Russwurm family (north shore). Meet Shepard (Shep) Gambill, 10 weeks old is nephew to Rick and Patti Russwurm. Hoping for lots of visits with him and his humans this summer |
Summer Barker delivery route help is still needed
The Birch Barker is in need of a person to delivery about 35 printed Barkers per week for 15 weeks next summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day) on the far south side of Birch Lake (from approximately the Yacht Club to the turn around). If you can help, please contact Ron Niezgodski at 574-532-6710 or email birchbass1@gmail.com
New Barker editor sought
We're still looking for someone to take of the job of being the editor of the Birch Barker when Phil Vitale retires or dies (he's not going to live forever, you know). You can start easy by taking on the responsibilities for the Online Barker; all you need is a basic knowledge of how websites work, html code and/or software. East into the summer Barker as you go along; training will be provided if required (and if Phil is still alive). Flexible hours, no pay but the lakers are gonna love you ...
Fleet Captain's Corner
Winter is over, spring has come, and sailboat masts go up in less than 2 months! Here is the schedule so far for BLYC Sailing 2024:
Help Each Other Get Boats Ready: Saturday, May 18 at 1:30 pm. (before the Spring Dinner that evening)
Memorial Day Regatta: Saturday, May 25 (3 races) and Sunday, May 26 (2 races). Backup date: Monday, May 27. All at 11 am, weather permitting.
Regular Sundays all summer: Up to 3 races, starting at 11am, weather permitting.
Fourth of July Regatta: Saturday, July 6 (3 races) and Sunday, July 7 (2 races). Backup date: Monday, July 8. All at 11am.
July 27: Tentative date for the Don Harman Kidz Regatta at Bob and Leslie King's.
Saturday, August 17: Earl Troeger Memorial Interlake Regatta at Birch Lake. Past Commodore Barb Cassidy is chairing this exciting event that is named in the honor and memory of Birch Lake's very own Snipe Sailboat World Champion, Earl Troeger.
Labor Day Regatta: Saturday, August 31 (3 races) and Sunday, September 1 (2 races). Backup date: Monday, September 2. All at 11 am, weather permitting.
Junior sailing events: TBA
Sailing Awards Luncheon: Saturday, September 7 at 1 pm at the Yacht Club.
The BLYC Sailors are all looking forward to a wonderful season of camaraderie and competition on the beautiful blue waters of Birch Lake!
~
F.C. Steve
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MC Scows at the recent Midwinter Championship at Lake Eustis, Florida. Photo by Regatta Girl, as published in the latest MC Scow Magazine. Birch Lake could look like this on August 17! |
BLYC Dues, Contribution & Donation Form
$____ - BLYC SPRING DINNER RESERVATIONS ($40 / PERSON)
$____ - BLYC Member Dues ($30 / year)
$____ - BLYC Associate Member Dues ($10 / year)
$____ - Homeowners’ Assoc. ($10 / year)
$____ - Sailing Fees ($15 / year)
$____ - WATER QUALITY and INVASIVE SPECIES TREATMENT
$____ - Building Improvement Fund
$____ - Fireworks Fund
$____ - Safety Committee
$____ - Other non-party related expenses
$____ - BLYC Roof Fund
$____ - BLYC AED Fund
$____ - Misc.
Total contribution:
$__________________
Include your name and address and make checks payable BLYC and mail to:
BLYC, c/o Deb Spratt at 18100 Farmington Hills Drive, South Bend, IN 46637, or go online to HTTP://BIRCHLAKEYACHTCLUB.COM to pay dues and/or make donations
MAY
May 18 -Board meeting - 9 am, BLYC
May 18 - Spring Dinner @ 5:30 pm Pineview Golf Club -"Derby Days," Sue Davis, Julie Dickey
May 25-26 - Memorial Day Weekend Sailboat Races Races Sat/Sun, with Monday as backup
May 30 - Card night -7 pm, BLYC
JUNE
June 1 - Board Meeting - 9 am, BLYC
June 8 – Boating Safety Course 10am-4 pm, BLYC
June 8 - Trivia night - 6:30 pm, BLYC, Holly Troeger, Sue Williams, Blair Garceau
June 15 - Commodore/Vice-Comm. Stock the Bar Party - 6:30pm, BLYC, Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night "Margaritaville," Sue Davis, Julie Dickey
June 29 - Spaghetti Dinner, Cam Butler, Stacia Andriano
June 27 - Card night 7 pm. BLYC
JULY
July 6 - Boat Parade - Line up at 2:30 pm at Waxmans', 3pm, theme TBA, Dan Waxman
July 6 - FIREWORKS, 10 pm, Bernie Garceau
July 6-7 - Fourth of July Regatta
July 13 - Board Meeting - 9 am, BLYC
July 19 - Women's Golf Outing - Details TBA, Blair Garceau
July 20 - Family Picnic, Details TBA, Sara Petty
July 20 - Kidz Triathlon - Details TBA
July 25 - Card Night - 7 pm, BLYC
July 26 - Men's Golf Outing- 8 am, Hampshire Golf Club, John Ball
July 27 - Don Harman Kidz Sunfish Regatta (Tentative date), Bob and Leslie King
AUGUST
Aug 3 - Corn and Sausage Roast 5:30-7pm, BLYC, Blair Garceau
Aug 10 - Board Meeting 9 am, BLYC
Aug 17 - Earl Troeger Memorial MC Interlake Regatta - Details TBA, Barb Cassidy
Aug 23 - Women's Style Show and Luncheon - Woodfire Restaurant, Details TBA, Ronni Eshleman
Aug 24 - Fall Dinner and Annual BLYC Meeting - Details TBA, Vice-Commodore, Julie Dickey
Aug 29 - Card Night - 7 pm, BLYC
Aug 31, Sept. 1- Labor Day Regatta, Sat/Sun, backup Mon.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 7 - Board Meeting - 9 am, BLYC
Sept. 7 - Sailing Award Luncheon, 1 pm, BLYC
OCTOBER
October 19 - Bad Patty Luecht Crockpot Challenge - Karen Curtis-Miller (tentative)
BLYC Classified Ads
SERVICES:
I do sewing and mending at fair prices - zippers, hemming, small alterations; call Kathy at 476-9317
FOR RENT:
Birch Lake cottage for rent: Three bedroom, one bath cottage with tub and shower. New granite kitchen, new stainless appliances w/dishwasher, washer and dryer. Nice pier w/ big platform. Plenty of parking. Possible ski, pontoon, row boat and sailboats for rent. Sleeps six in beds, room for more. Call/text Pat McGann 574- 532-5377.
FOUND:
Found: Turtle board washed up on the south side just east of the yacht club. Call Chris Stevens @ 317-771-8531.
BLYC Contacts
BLYC OFFICERS
Sue Davis (E) Commodore
574-993-6031 eyesnd76@gmail.com
Julie Dickey (E) Vice Commodore
574-220-9132 jdjuls@aol.com
Deb Spratt (N) Treasurer
debspratt@comcast.net
Mike Sheffieck (W) Secretary
708-220-1506 mcsheffieck@gmail.com
Steve Frew (E) Fleet Captain
708-285-2999 stephenbfrew@gmail.com
BLYC DIRECTORS
Dave Carroll (W) 574-850-8359
arrolldavid39@gmail.com
Barb Cassady (E) 574-229-9815
barbcassady49@gmail.com
Ed Chester (E) 476-1010
ed@chesterlawoffice.com
Karen Curtis-Miller (E) 574-261-6712 krcurtismiller@gmail.com
Bernie Garceau 476-9862
bgarceau@norcoind.com
Deb Hall (C) 219-765-8691
debbershall@gmail.com
Pat McGann (E) 574-532-5377
pat@mcgannhay.com
Ron Niezgodski (W) 574-532-6710
birchbass1@gmail.com
Laura Pence (E)
lpence3@gmail.com
Sarah Petty (N) .574-274-9202
sarahkpetty@gmail.com
Claudia Phipps (N) 476-7073
claudia2154@gmail.com
Vickie Rogers (C) 476-2383
tvrogers@frontier.com
Rick Russwurm (N) 476-2407
paramountp@aol.com
Ray Scholes (S) 567-429-9569
rqs72@aol.com
Scott Troeger (E) 476-9898
scott.troeger@btlaw.com
Phil Vitale (E) 476-1680
sailorphil@philvitale.com
or onlinebarker@gmail.com
Sandy Vitale (E) 476-1680
sv6102@gmail.com
Dan Waxman (E) 317-506-1680
DWaxman131@outlook.com
Denny Weesner (S) 219-765-8602
dkwees@cs.com
Sue Williams (S) (574) 298-2839
smwilliams226@gmail.com
OTHER CONTACTS OF INTEREST
Paul Fallon (E) Chairman, Water Quality
476- 1467 pauljfallon49@gmail.com
Blair Garceau (E) Chairman, Homeowners
476-9862 blairgarceau@gmail.com
Barker Funnies
THE BARKER ONLINE...
The Online Birch Barker is owned and operated by the Birch Lake Yacht Club. It is produced voluntarily (without pay) by Phil Vitale. You may subscribe to receive this e-mail monthly (or as regularly as I get it out) at no cost — and you can unsubscribe at any time — or simply add this site to your favorites and check it monthly for updates
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