The Summer Swan Song Soiree will be held on Sunday, September 3, from 2-4, weather permitting. Tie up near the sand bar. BYOBeverage and a snack to share. Join us in wishing goodbye to another great summer on Ann Lake.

On June 12th, the loons had not one, but two chicks! This was the first year that the loons had success using the artificial platform. Please be observant and give the loons plenty of room. Remind your friends and guests as well.

Our goal was to double our invasive species reserve fund from $5000 to $10,000 to allow ALPOA to respond aggressively in the vital first year to any incursion by non-native aquatic plants. We met this goal. This fund demonstrates our commitment to the Township which we hope will match our efforts with similar or in-kind contributions.

Click to view a slide show presentation on why we need this and how this effort can serve to encourage similar pro-active Township efforts of this type.

While we have met our goal, we are still accepting donations explicitly marked for the Invasive Species Fund. With all the lakes around us experiencing aquatic invasive plants, we are concerned that it is only a matter of time until Ann Lake is infested. This money will be used to handle this emergency situation; it will allow us to get professional treatment started almost intermediately. How to contribute:

1. Fill out the modified membership form .
2. Send check payable to ALPOA; please note the Invasive Species Fund in the memo section.
3. If you would like to donate via PayPal, there is a donate button on the bottom of the Membership Application page.

Check out our Invasive Species webpage to see how ALPOA is our lake’s first level of defense against incursions of non-native aquatic plants. See how we scientifically monitor our lake and report our results each and every year so you know the state of our native lake vegetation.

2-4 pm, Boardman River Nature Center, Traverse City

When the seaplane is put away, you know the fall is quickly coming to an end! It has been a rainy fall but there are still gorgeous days on the lake for those last rides on pontoons and in kayaks.

This has been another busy year for the association. It began in the spring with a riparian’s discovery of a major forestry project in the township planned by the DNR. The forester heading up the project spoke at the annual meeting. While we weren’t able to cancel any of the plans, we have been able to work with the forester and save some of the trees. In addition, ALPOA has been placed on the notification mailing list for any other forestry projects in the township; these will be posted.

Monthly activities start in June and go through October:

• The annual meeting was held at the Township Park in June. There has been discussion about moving it indoors so presentations can be given.
• The “unofficial” 4^th of July parade continues to draw over 30 entries. Would folks be interested in a contest for best decorated entry?
• The attendance for the PPPR in August was down from previous years, especially regarding the T-shirts. Would folks be interested in a different item?
• The September and October events are not drawing many attendees. The September Swan Song Soiree only had 3 pontoon boats this year with a similar attendance at the October Pub Crawl. What do we need to do to increase attendance at these events?

Please send in your comments regarding any of these activities or ideas for different activities to Maggie@annlake.org.

The Invasive Species Committee decided to do another mapping of the lake this year. Many of the lakes surrounding Ann Lake have found Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). Since this is easily transported by fragments attached to boats and trailers, it is not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN we will see this on Ann Lake. It is extremely important that we remain vigilant in guarding for this and other aquatic invasive plants. The Water Quality Committee continues their monitoring of the lake and has raised concerns that the phosphorous level of Ann Lake has continued to grow. The ALPOA Board has decided the next newsletter, which is sent to every lake owner not just members, will focus on the water quality and invasive issue.

At the annual meeting, Maggie was reelected to the Board and Bill Sharp was elected as a Board member starting in Jan., 2017. Based on a resignation on the Board, Bill was asked and accepted to fill that position and jumped in immediately; thank you Bill! But the Board is always looking for new members to get involved. If you don’t want to be on the Board, committees are always looking for help. For example, Maggie, the Events Committee Chair, might want help sifting through all the feedback she’ll be getting; or Kent, the Membership Chair, is always looking for assistance in growing the size and reach of this organization. Check out the rest of the website and it will show the work of all the committees and how to get in touch with anyone on the Board.

Have a safe winter season and we’ll see you on the lake in the spring!

Your ALPOA Board Members

Mark your calendars for 6pm on Saturday, October 15, for the 2nd ALPOA Pub Crawl where we “crawl” to the Lake Ann Brewery and “crawl” back home. A fun way to end another great summer in Northern Michigan.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Alfie’s, the provider of T-shirts, will need a longer lead time this year. In the past, the deadline for signing up for the PPPR and ordering a T-shirt was July 15. This year, we need an extra week’s notice for T-shirts. So please, if you would like a T-shirt, get your registration into Maggie by July 8th.