"Yellow dandelions are studded across the green grass in Howard’s meadow and the loons are calling from the deep blue waters of Sand Lake. Pink, red and white trilliums are blossoming under the green spring woolliness of the trees above. I’ve made my first visit to the cottage this spring and I’m in a euphoric mood. So what’s on the presidential menu this spring?

First of all, don’t be in such a hurry for the cottage that you go speeding along Glover Boulevard. Over the winter much work was done to improve and widen the road into Sand Lake Marine, but that’s no excuse to step on the gas. Lisa Glover has asked us all to keep our speeds down. The Glovers are also laying down new gravel on the parking lot to improve the parking area.

When you get to the cottage, contemplate the serenity and consider that things work rather well, in part because of the quiet activities of the Birch Island Residential Property Owners Association (BIRPOA).

Some of us have been BIRPOA members since the day the Earth cooled and surveyors carved up the island into cottage lots. Others have joined over the years. Our membership drives have lacked their drive in the past while, so there may be some cottagers who are not even aware that there is a cottagers’ association.
This is your opportunity to find out more about BIRPOA – and to join up, if you are not already a member. Renew if you are.

Accompanying this letter is a brochure explaining the goals and objectives of the BIRPOA. It also lays out the benefits of belonging to the organization. One of our goals is to have as many Birch Island cottagers as possible belong to BIRPOA. All of us on the island, whether members or not, benefit from the programs enacted by this volunteer organization of cottagers.

This summer we will be erecting signs on the interior right-of-way, indicating directions to various cottage lot numbers. This is director John Feltmate’s initiative. We have a website packed with pictures and information, courtesy of vice-president John Curley. Go to www.birchisland.info. You are receiving this brochure and letter thanks to the efforts of Secretary Sharron Curley. Treasurer and membership chair Alice Howarth will accept your cheques. Alice is also our Dock Cart Lady, charged with the responsibility of acquiring a dock cart to ease the task of hauling your groceries to the boat. Think of it as meals on wheels. Past-president Ralph Robertson keeps an eye on out-of-season bass fishermen and is our liaison with township council and other Rideau Lakes organizations. Director Chuck Laudermilch from the U.S. is our foreign relations specialist and recreational dockside planning co-ordinator.

Struggling to keep up with these super-charged individuals is the president, me, Orland French, who believes in delegating as much work as possible to minimize intrusions on his hammock time.

The price of belonging to this incredible organization is inconsequential. Only $25 a year. Less than the price of a case of beer. Much, much less than the price of filling the gas tank of your boat. We’ll give you a discount of $45 if you sign up for two years.

The survey form gives you a chance to express your priorities for your areas of interest on the island. Please fill it out and return it to Alice Howarth at the address on the form. Ignoring it won’t do you any good, because sometime this summer a BIRPOA rep in canoe, kayak or cruiser will come knocking at your dock to bring personal greetings from BIRPOA.

Enjoy your summer. Weather forecasters are predicting a hot one but not for Birch Island. The weather here is always perfect.

Orland French
President
Birch Island Residential Property Owners Association

May, 2006