Photo Credit to Brad Zesinger
Spring Dinner Reminder
The annual Spring Dinner will be at the Hotel Elkhart Tapestry Collection by Hilton, on Saturday, May 17, starting at 5pm. Located on Main Street in downtown Elkhart, this 1923 historic landmark hotel has been beautifully restored with a jazz influenced grandeur.
The dinner event will be on the 9th floor. It will start with a cash bar cocktail hour from 5pm to 6pm. During the cocktail hour, we can socialize and enjoy the outdoor “High Note” balcony bar with a fabulous view of the city. At 6pm, the dinner will begin in the lovely decorated Aria ballroom. There will be a plated meal served that will include the following:
- Gala Apple Salad: Baby kale blend, gala apple, parmesan crisp, shaved asparagus, dried cranberry, candied pecan, fig balsamic vinaigrette
- Chicken Roulade: Bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta tarragon cream sauce
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Green beans
- Rolls and butter
- Crème Brulée Cheesecake
The cost per person will be $42. Free parking is located near the building. Please pay for your reservation on the Birch Lake Yacht Club website. Contact Julie (574-220-9132) if another form of payment is necessary or if you have any questions.
Last Online Barker!
It’s May, and that means this is the last online version of the Birch Barker until fall. The first printed Barker will be published the weekend of Memorial Day. It’s my first year doing the Barker, and I’m looking for ideas for new content. If you are interested in contributing – either regularly or occasionally – please email me at birchbarker1@gmail.com.
Here are some ideas I’ve received for new columns / sections:
- Restaurant Reviews – different people could submit each week if you’ve eaten out at a local restaurant
- Book Reviews
- Birch Lake or Area History
- Weekly feature of families (or houses) on the lake – “Get to Know Your Neighbors”
- Area Events and Activities
- Lake Plants / Critters – like an “I Spy” around the lake
I’ll also be looking for news items, photographs from events, Kids of the Week submissions, funnies, and classifieds just like we’ve had in the past. If you have any ideas for new stuff, or suggestions on how to make the Barker better, please let me know!
~Amber Grundy, Barker Editor, birchbarker1@gmail.com
Commodore’s Comments
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
May 1st is known as “May Day.” It is celebrated as the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. This year it is also coinciding with the “National Day of Prayer” which falls on the first Thursday in the month of May. It was first observed in 1952 through a joint resolution of the US Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman. My prayers go out to all of you for your good health, happiness, and peace! I am also praying in thanksgiving for some positive storm outcomes that I will discuss in my comments.
On March 30, there was a significant storm that came through our area and it caused incredible damage. We lost power in our Mishawaka home so we decided to drive to the lake home where there was power. During the drive to the lake, we encountered a power line blocking the road and had to take a detour. We saw several homes with fallen trees on their homes and many uprooted trees. After we arrived at our Birch Lake home, we discovered a large tree next to our home that had fallen toward the road. Thank God, it caused no damage to our house and property! Special thanks to Tim Cole and Don Litznerski from the Hill Association (Kinsey St). They very efficiently removed all the tree debris. They had the right equipment to tackle this very large tree removal project. Great job!
Ron and Bob Niezgodski decided to assess the BLYC for any possible damage after the storm. They discovered that a tree had fallen on the back side of the building. I assessed the damage and took pictures, notified our insurance, and got the claim initiated. An insurance adjuster came to the BLYC to assess the damage. Mike Sheffieck and I met him there. A report was sent to our insurance and an insurance estimate was provided. The bottom line great news is that the BLYC is getting a much needed new roof!
Ron Niezgodski volunteered to get roof and gutter repair estimates. Thank you Ron! They will be reviewed by the officers. The plan is to move forward and get the roof replaced as soon as possible! There was also a broken window in the men’s bathroom. I found a company called Clearview Glass to repair the window. It should be done soon. I also want to thank our Fleet Captain, Bob Niezgodski, for cutting up and removing the tree from the BLYC roof and gutters. He moved them away from the building. Thanks Bob! Sometimes weather damage can result in a positive outcome. For that, I am thankful!
Some of our residents have notified me about their concerns about unleashed dogs and pets leaving their owners’ property. An unleashed animal could potentially attack a person or another animal. On that note, our dog, Piper, was attacked by an unleashed dog. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our residents safe.
Mother’s Day is May 11. Wishing all the mothers a very happy Mother’s Day. May your day be filled with joy and love!
A friendly reminder that the Spring Dinner at the lovely Hotel Elkhart is on May 17. It would be a great new place for a BLYC get together. The experience should be very enjoyable. Stroll to the balcony as you sip your drink with friends and gaze at the view of the city, enjoy dinner in the beautiful ballroom! Hope to see you there!
Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 26. We pay tribute and remember the men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are thankful for their service. We get together and celebrate with our family and friends while we are blessed with our freedom and our country. Wishing all of you a meaningful Memorial Day!
We come from many different places, but we are all in the same boat: we love Birch Lake!
~Commodore Julie
Fleet Captain’s Corner
Summer and the sailing season are upon us. Many piers and boats are in the lake and we will be starting the season in no time. If anyone is interested in sailing and does not have a sailboat, I know of an MC and a Mini Sunfish that are looking for a good home. In addition to this, there are many Sunfish not in use around the lake. If you know of someone who is interested in coming out and sailing with us this season, or really sailing in general, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to find a loaner boat.
As along with everyone around the lake, we sailors are in summer prep mode. Currently two individuals have volunteered to help set marks but we need more help, so if you’re interested, please reach out. Also, upon the request of the sailors, new marks have been ordered and delivered. Unfortunately, what was received was not as advertised. The marks are the correct/same size, but the maker only has orange ones for the foreseeable future. This is in contrast to the yellow ones we have had for some time. I’ve searched the internet to find similar yellow buoys but have only found them from vendors overseas. I will continue my search for the yellow marks but it may be orange marks this year. Finally, to the MC sailors, I will be sending out an email soon to gauge interest in organizing a “Mast Up Day” like we have done in previous years.
On another note, and as noted in previous online barkers, Eagle Lake is hosting the Eagle Lake Open MC Regatta on Saturday, June 7, and the Gull Lake Club is going to host the Gull Lake Michigan Invitational the next day (Sunday, June 8) on Eagle Lake as well. If any sailors are interested in participating in either of these regattas or strongly oppose orange marks vs yellow marks, as always don’t hesitate to reach out.
~ F.C. Bob
Water Quality Committee
In case you missed the alert sent out last week, the Water Quality Committee sent out a notice about the murky appearance of the lake on April 24th. Members of the committee took water samples and submitted them for testing. When more information is available, we will share it with the community. We are grateful to our wonderful WQ committee for keeping Birch Lake beautiful!
Birch Lake Native Plants
Thank you to Ranger Brenda at Camp T for submitting the photos and information below on native plant life at Birch Lake!
Marsh Marigolds
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is one of my favorite Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers! With beautiful, bright yellow flowers, and glossy heart shaped leaves, it’s sure to catch the attention of anyone who happens to pass by! It prefers full sun and wet, marshy soil. Camp T has Marsh Marigolds at the waterfront where natural springs flow into Birch Lake.
~Ranger Brenda Wentzel
Public Service Announcements
2025 Yacht Club Dues
It’s never too early to pay your BLYC dues for next summer! You can pay online here or mail a check payable to BLYC to:
Deb Spratt, Treasurer
18100 Farmington Hills Dr.
South Bend, IN 46637
Update Your Email Preferences
You can choose which emails you want to receive from the Birch Barker! Please click here to update your email preferences.
BLYC Directory
Corrections and updates to the new directory? Send any updates to birchbarker1@gmail.com and we’ll publish them here for folks to update their directories.
Events
2025 BLYC Board Meetings
Board meetings take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings at the Yacht Club, and are open to all lake residents. Board meetings will take place on the following dates:
- May 24
- June 21
- July 19
- August 16
- September 20
Upcoming Events
- May 17, 2025 – Spring Dinner at Hotel Elkhart, 5pm
- June 7 – Commodore / Vice Commodore Party + Stock the Bar
- June 14, 2025 – Trivia Night
- June TBA – Spaghetti Dinner
- July 5, 2025 – Boat Parade
- July 5, 2025 – Fireworks
- July 6, 2025 – Pancake Breakfast
- July 18, 2025 – Ladies’ Golf Outing
- July 25, 2025 – Men’s Golf Outing
- July TBA – Family Picnic
- August 2, 2025 – Corn & Sausage Roast
- August TBA – Fall Dinner
- September TBA – Fall Frolic
- October TBA – Bad Patty Crockpot Challenge
Kids of the Month
Great Kid of the Month submissions this month! Keep them coming!
Birch Lake’s own Dezi Lacy (south shore) won Special Ed Student of the Year for St. Joe County, Michigan. Chosen from nine school districts in the county! We’re so proud of her!
Bill Luecht (east shore) at the Bitter End Yacht Club
Bob and Leslie King (north shore) on a cold April day (27 degrees!)
Steve Benson high above Birch Lake working on the tree in front of Mike and Lisa Dobson’s home (north shore).
🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Please share your own kids (or pets or whatever!) to be featured in an upcoming issue. You can email them to birchbarker1@gmail.com.
Classifieds
Large garage / moving sale!
Saturday, May 10, 8am to 2pm
14719 Kiloqua Woods Ln.
Looking for Firewood? We have a tree that fell during the storm. It is good hardwood and free to anyone who wants to cut it up and take. Call Claudia at 574-596-2154.
Sad Sunfish Seeking Sailors. Our boat pines to go racing on Sundays. Please borrow the boat (rigged and ready)! It’s a great way to “kick the tires” at no expense. Contact the Kings at 574-299-0705 and leave a message.
Cottage for Rent: West side, weekly rentals, Friday to Friday. Please email patriciajzoller@gmail.com or call 773-230-4521. Please see website for photos and information.
Sailboats and sailboat stuff:
Free to a good home. Dennis Tudor (west shore) has an Alcort Minifish that he would like to give away to a good home. Needs a good cleaning! Has a sail, dagger board, and rudder. No major cracks or damage to the fiberglass. Contact Dennis at 476-2744 for more information.
Tammy Hanstine has a 1990-vintage AMF Sunfish previously owned and raced by Tom Howard here on Birch Lake is for sale. Brand new sail (still in plastic), brand new tiller and extension, 3 daggerboards, two complete mast/boom set-ups with sails, 2 rudder assemblies, plus misc. extra parts. Everything is in good to great shape. Make an offer (minimum offer $500) and take it all (or will sell parts individually).
Tammy also is willing to GIVE AWAY the famed “Whale Boat,” Melges MC that was previously owned and sailed by world-champion sailor Earl Troeger — FREE to good owner. Trailer included. Hull, decking and most components and parts are in good working order, but this will be something of a “project” boat; it needs a mast, and some parts will need to be repaired or replaced. I’d love to see it stay on the lake. If you have the desire, time and aptitude, this boat would love to sail here again!
Come see both on the south side, contact Tammy at tkhanstine@yahoo.com
Wanted to Buy: My large extended family has owned a cottage called “Chaos” (Cove) for 60 years. Our place will stay in the family… but our own individual needs have expanded and we are looking for more room so our grandkids can stay during the summer and make memories here, too. We are looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom place on the lake. If you are thinking about selling, please email Ann Nyberg at ann.nyberg@gmail.com.
Wanted to Buy: Bill and Sherry Holleman are looking to get back on to Birch Lake part-time or full-time. If you are thinking about selling, please email Sherry at dakotalynn01@aol.com.
Services: I do sewing and mending at fair prices – zippers, hemming, small alterations; call Kathy at 269-476-9317.
Barker Funnies
(click on image to enlarge)
Thank you to Buzz Rasmussen for submitting this month’s funnies.
