This Edition of the Newsletter is in memory of one of our own who has gone home. Ron Bild lost the fight with lung cancer on May 31, 2005. His memorial was at Fielding Funeral Parlor with a very touching waterside ceremony depositing his ashes in the place he loved the most. We all send our love and condolences to Juanita and their family. Ron has gone where we all will one day go, we just don’t know when…Are You Ready?
Key Pad Help… If you are expecting company when the gate is closed, give them your access number. This will help them to avoid the frustration of a foreign keypad. However if it is foreign to you, the next time you come in, stop at the keypad and access your name (by using the arrow, up or down, until you find it). There will be a number by your name. Give that number to your guests when they come to visit. All they need to do is punch in your number, nothing else. The phone will automatically call your home. And you, of course, will press 9 on your phone to let them in.
*NOTE…the call has to come through the keypad phone. Their cell phone will not access the gate even if they are right by the keypad phone.
New Gate Timing… Because we have had so many complaints about tailgating through the front gate, the “gate closing time” has been shortened (the time it takes to get from the pad through the gate)…so please use your card when entering the front gate.
Want the Board to know your concerns? Let your representative know and they will bring it up at the board meeting or… make an appointment with Jan Miller to come in person, and be heard. Let your voice be heard the American way.
Phase I representatives- Frank Raab and Jan Clark….Phase II representatives- Joe Urick and Pat Heumann Burrow Phase III representatives- Doug Block and Evelyn Bordelon Phase IV representatives- Bill White and Louis Zeringue
-Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. with all members present except Joe Urick and Bill White.
-Reports given and accepted
-Jan Miller reported a problem with the weir dam. It will take additional dirt, gravel, and concrete to complete this job.
-A leak in the back pump is to be addressed immediately.
-A meeting is to be set up with Will Crain to discuss proper implementation of the covenants.
-Phase I residents are complaining about uncut grass and messy construction sites on Lakeshore Dr.
This needs to be cleaned up.
-Louis reported the drain in Phase 4 across from Jim Baroni has been cleared.
- A motion was given and passed to put drainage lines under street in Phase III at the cost of $2,000. .
-The Architectural Committee addressed the Covenant Violations and things needed to be done to correct the situation
-Suggestions were made for neighbors to help neighbors in violation…to come into line with the covenants.
-The entrance pole has been tabled for the time being,
-Beautification reported that the signs and information boards have been completed but Mr. Clyde is unable to install because of health issues. Someone else will install them shortly.
-We are waiting on a report from Will Crain as to the 2004 Liens.
-Key Pad instructions will be put in the next newsletter.
Homeowners Board Meeting …Always the 4th Thursday of the month at the Fire Station on LA 25 … June 23rd at 7:00 pm. The meeting is open to all property owners. If you want to speak at the meeting, you must call a board member to be put on the agenda.
Next Civic Association “Pot Luck”… June 16th. at the home of Pat and Ron Burrow… 14277 Riverlake Dr.( 875-7717). We’re having “A Luau”. …Dress the part or come as you are…. 6:30pm… Bring a dish, a new neighbor and lets have fun. (No charge for new neighbors who haven’t decided to join yet.)
Candle Party- Come one, Come all, Lets have a ball. Lake Ramsey Civic Association- Fund Raiser- Candle Party by Classic Candles L.L.C (Candles, Sprays, Sachets, Candle Burner Pots.) Refreshments will be served –WHO----eeee
It was nice to see so any for the May Pot Luck, what a nice meeting we had out on the deck of Ruth and Gary Bienvenue’s home. Our thanks go out to Ruth and Gary for hosting. There was also a good response to our request for donations for the Food Bank. Gary says he is always willing to take any donations that you may have during the year as he volunteers his time at the Food Bank.
Paulette Hecker, on behalf of the Homeowners, gave a brief report on the progress of the street signs and information board. The man that has been paid to furnish the signs has been in the hospital and will be forthcoming with the work as soon as possible. Although the leadership and monies are coming from the Homeowners Association, Paulette gives a brief report at each Civic Club meeting, and at the same time can take that opportunity to ask for help with the projects as well as the weeding. Paulette Hecker and Jan Clark, recently did the overwhelming job of weeding the bedding area. It looks very nice ladies. If anyone would like to assist, you can contact Paulette. It is going to be a long summer and the entrance is the first thing your guest see when they come to visit you. Wouldn’t you like to know it looks so lovely because you gave a helping hand?
The June 16th Civic Association meeting will be held at the home of Pat and Ron Burrow, 14277 Riverlake. Pat and Ron have decided to have “A Luau”. The Pot Luck Dinner will begin at 6:30. Everyone that is a lot or resident of Lake Ramsey is welcome to attend. We would love to meet our new neighbors.
The Civic Association would like to give their heart-felt condolences, to the Bild family, at the passing of their dear friend and member, Ron Bild. Ron passed away on Tuesday, May 31. He will be dearly missed.
If anyone has questions about the Civic Association or would like to volunteer to host the July 21st, September 15th or October 20th Pot Luck meeting or host a party please call me.
Keeping the Covenants…Webster defines covenant as a formal binding agreement. When we purchased a home in Lake Ramsey we committed to the covenants and restrictions, regardless of how we think or feel about them. We become part of the whole. No one person has the right to change the covenants or decide to uphold some and ignore others. As a Homeowner Board, it is our responsibility to keep the covenant ourselves and to see to it that others keep the covenants also.
The covenants were written -----years ago with our best interest in mind, as they saw it. However there were some oversights that we now have to deal with. Lots that weren’t sold at the time exposed no problem. However, now we are dealing with lots that aren’t large enough for square footage requirements, we have poured driveways so close to the line that a 10ft. variance to store our boats and trailers in the driveway is impossible without being in violation, we have purchased homes that came with a violation, and on and on and on. At this late date, how do we uphold the covenants when so many have been broken? How can we as a board, give permission to one person to break covenant and still provide the protection for others that the covenants bring? To change the covenants, it would take 80 percent of the owners to agree by vote to make any changes. Until then…the covenants, as they are written, are still in effect.
With that in mind, the board is having Lawyer Will Crane look at our covenants to interpret and to advise us. Following that meeting, the board will begin to bring into line those that we can, who are out of covenant.
We are all in this together, for better or worse. We your board are doing our best, with difficult decisions, to be fair and help each one with their individual problems. Please help us by cooperating when you are asked to comply.
They Got One!!!… “Big” and “Small” Alligators Sighted in the overflow…and the lake… Wildlife and Fisheries (64162009 or 1-800-442-2511 ) came and caught the small one. Momma gator, I’m sure isn’t too happy. So… PLEASE…PLEASE….PLEASE,…do not feed , and if you hear splashing under your dock…check it out. Both alligators were living under docks on Lakeshore Dr. (facing Phase II). Hopefully there is only one left….but… when in doubt …check it out. ________________________________________________________________________________
A Gardening Reminder…
Last year we had a big problem with algae and also the leaches that feed on the algae.
So…keep this in mind… when you fertilize your yard, you are also fertilizing your lake and giving a place for the leaches to reside. Leaches have to hold on to something ….(I’ve noticed that the guys have more problems with the leaches on their legs…….so ladies… lets keep our legs shaved :)
Leaches off your beaches??? Try this…Aquacide Co. (1-800-328-9350) has a herbicide that won’t hurt our marine or wild life, but it will kill the algae. Charlie said that he gets the pellets. So…lets give it a shot and see if we can rid our lake of these pests. (see add page for more info)
Wow! … our roads are getting fixed!!!…Keep them moving Louis
Stickers… stickers are now available for all Lake Ramsey cars and boats . The stickers will be given out by Bill White. Please call before coming to pick up. All Home Owner dues must be paid in full.
Where do I put the Stickers?? The boat sticker should be placed on the Right (starboard) side of the boat. The car sticker should be placed above the brake tag. This will enable us to know if a resident is behind us when we come in on our card at the gate, and know which boats belong one our lake.
Uncut lots… Notify your Phase Rep. as to what lot is not being taken care of and how long it has been since it was cut and we will send out a notice. If they do not cut it in a timely fashion then we will hire someone and send them the bill.
Where… do I get a gate card, the new boat launch key or information on building in Lake Ramsey, and the new stickers for our boats and cars… Bill White- C- 966-0817, H- 867-9153. Please Call before you come to pick up a key. :)* Just a reminder that a replacement boat launch key costs $100.00. Ouch! … So don’t Loose it or Lend it!!!!! **** The new boat launch keys are available.
Good Housekeeping tip (for those who hate to clean)… Always keep several get-well cards on the mantel…so if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you’ve been sick and unable to clean. :)
These little do and Don’ts will help us all be on the same.
Do not Ski or speed through the” No Wake Zone.” This is for your safety. Boats are to idle only….with as little wake as possible.
DO… check the water around your dock before diving in. The storms blow chairs etc. into the lake and it could cause injury.
Don’t …put up a fence or addition without getting it approved first.
DON’T PARK…. your car, truck, or trailer etc. over night on the street. Any vehicles left in the street or on any of the green spaces over night will be towed off at owners expense.
Don’t … go in… the out gate!!!
Do …Pick up your newsletter when the arm is up on the green mailbox in the front of the subdivision
Don’t…. drive your boats too close to their docks/piers while skiing or fishing.
Do not let your dogs run loose !!! The covenants require dogs to be leashed (especially by the street), to protect children, bikers, and anyone not knowing the temperament of your animal.
Don’t… throw grass and leaves from your yard clean up into the lake as this pollutes the water (not to mention looks terrible) If someone else does your yard, let them know.
Do…cut your lot at least twice a month during the summer, to keep the rodents down. (LOT OWNERS)
Do… Enjoy your home in Lake Ramsey…(Most people have to go on vacation to experience what we have here on a daily basis) How blessed we are!!!
Vacation Bible School --- Red Bluff Baptist Church is having Vacation Bible School beginning June 26th (Sunday) through June 30th (Thursday). The hours are 5:30P.P.M. for supper with VBS from 6PM to 8PM. To register your child/children, you may contact the church office at 796-3891 between 8:30AM and 3:30PM. Rev Stephen Byrd will be happy to answer your questions and make your reservations. It is not necessary that you belong to the church or be Baptist, every child is welcome. This is the church where we have held the Homeowners elections on Hwy. 1078. The members have worked very hard to make this a really special time for the kids.
Boating Sense…if you wouldn’t put them behind the wheel of your car going 60 miles an hour, then don’t let them drive a water craft going that same speed.
“Idle through the No Wake Zone”
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk
Be courteous around other boats and fishermen
CHILDREN SWIMMING…. Stay a safe distance away from piers
The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana plans to conduct prescribed burns at the Lake Ramsay Preserve and Wildlife Management Area during February through June 2005, weather permitting.
Please drop off anything you would like to add to the Newsletter, written and ready to print, in the basket on Pat’s porch or email the information titled: Newsletter Info. To baheumann@charter.net by the 5th of the month.
4 tab. Sugar Mix egg yolks with lemon juice, add condensed milk and grated lemon. Pour into pie shell. Beat egg whites, gradually add cream of tartar and sugar. Beat until peaks form in whites. Top pie with meringue, spread to edge and bake at 350 until meringue is a light tan, about 15 min.
Using Gram Crackers. Place one of the pkg. of gram crackers in a large plastic bag and roll with rolling pin until crushed. Melt 1 stick of margarine or butter in a pot and add the crumbs. Mix well until all of the b utter is absorbed. Press into a pie pan, going up the sides, fill with pie filling and bake.
Using Vanilla Wafers: Place 1 ½ to 2 cps of cookies in a bag and crust. Proceed as above, press crumbs on bottom only of pie pan, stand whole cookies around the edge, fill with pie filling and bake.
June edition “05” Volume 2 #5
