CROCKERY LAKE ASSOCIATION
August/September 2024 NEWSLETTER
CROCKERY LAKE WEBSITE: www.crockerylake.org
CROCKERY LAKE EMAIL:
CROCKERY LAKE FACEBOOK: www.facebook/
crockerylake
CLA BOARD MEETING
The final CLA Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at
7:00pm. The meeting will be at the Chester Township Hall: 3509 Sehler St.
Conklin, Mi 49403.
This meeting will be our most important one. Dr. Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones
from Restorative Lake Sciences will present the water test results and her
recommendations for implementing lake restoration. She will have her
proposal for the best way to treat the lake and the expected cost. There will
be a time for questions, answers, and concerns.
Any remediation we decide to use will have more cost involved than what we
have in the special assessment tax we already have in place. Therefore, once
we decide on a plan a new special assessment will probably be recommended.
This will take full cooperation from all of our riparians.
We want you to be informed. This has been a very long journey to seek
restoration of our lake. All of us should want a lake that is healthy for
swimming and fishing. Remember, the lake water is very close to our drinking
water/wells so it is in everyone’s best interest and safety that we work on a
solution for the pollution.
The Board of Directors encourages you to be present for the full presentation
and power point.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY
Crockery Lake has lost another wonderful neighbor. Bradley Jones (north side) lost his
battle with cancer on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Brad was a lifelong resident on
Crockery Lake. He was a good friend to all. He will be missed. We offer our sympathy to
his family and friends.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SEPTIC TANK
Karen Elliott attended an EGLE webinar about septic tank management and
maintenance and shared the information at the last CLA Board meeting. Thank you,Karen for attending this and sharing it with us. This is very valuable and important
information. Septic systems should not be “out of sight, out of mind.” Routine
inspections, and pumping as needed, are important for maintaining the system and
making sure that it’s working. Catching a problem early can save you from a costly
repair or replacement bill.
QUICK TIPS:
~ Think at the sink!
DON’T *Pour cooking grease or oil down the sink or toilet.
*Rinse coffee grounds into the sink.
*Pour household chemicals down the sink or flush them.
DO *Eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal.
*Properly dispose of coffee grounds and food.
*Put grease in a container to harden before discarding in the
trash.
~ Don’t strain your drain!
DON’T *Concentrate your water use by using your dishwasher, shower,
washing machine, and toilet at the same time.
*All that extra water can really strain your septic system.
DO *Stagger the use of water-generating appliances. This can be
helpful especially if your system has not been pumped in a
long time.
*Become more water efficient by fixing plumbing leaks and
consider installing water-efficient products.
*Repair leaking fixtures.
~ Keep it clean!
If you have a well, many things can contaminate your drinking
water, such as a failing septic system. Test your water regularly!
~ Shield your field!
DON’T *Park or drive on your drain-field it could damage the drain lines.
*Plant trees or shrubs too close to your drain-field because roots
can grow into your system and clog it.
DO *Consult a septic service professional to advise you of the proper
distance for planting trees and shrubs.
~ Protect it and Inspect it!
DON’T *Flush products or chemicals, such as feminine hygiene products,
condoms, dental floss, diapers, contacts, cigarette butts, cat
litter, paper towels, pharmaceuticals, FLUSHABLE WIPES.
DO * Put all of these items in the trash!
~ Don’t overload the commode!
DO *Have your system inspected every three years by a licensed
septage hauler to assess if pumping is necessary.
~ Pump your tank!
Have your septic tank pumped by a licensed septage hauler when the
solids exceed 1/3 of the tank volume.WHAT’S IN OUR LAKE!?!?
The story: On July 25, residents on the south side of the lake in one of the coves saw
something very strange. It looked like a 4ish foot alligator swimming within 4 feet of their
shoreline with its mouth open scooping up minnows. Before they could get a picture it
swam underwater and out of sight. They thought they were seeing things so they said
nothing.
On August 4, a fisherman at the fishing dock at Grose Park reported to the DNR that
they saw a 6 foot alligator in the lily pads. DNR dispatched 4 officers but found nothing.
And so the hunt began……
There were multiple sightings and some photos taken. But many were from a distance
and it was hard to make out what exactly it was. Some video was also recorded that
could be a gator swimming.
A trail cam set up on the south side of the lake caught a picture of what looked very
much like the head of an alligator and the body under water.
Fox17, WOODTV8, and WZZM13 have all been on the lake doing interviews and
helping to search. Even a TikTok streamer came out a couple of times to try to catch the
beast.
Finally, Dan Rooks, a former resident on the lake and son of current residents, made a
trip up here from Florida to see his parents and to search for our gator. It is his part-time
gig in Florida to relocate pests like gators. After several days and nights exploring and
searching he did not find it. Dan concluded that it was in the lake but then found its way
up Crockery Creek or is hiding in Little Crockery.
Does that mean it was never in the lake or that it moved on? The eye witnesses were
pretty sure of what they saw.
INDEPENDENCE DAY YARD DECORATING 2024
Thank you to everyone who decorated their yards for our July 3 festivities. Our very
own, Carl and Karen Elliott are this year’s winners! This makes 3 years in a row for
them! They do an awesome job. This year their decorations were meaningful because it
was to honor their granddaughter, Summer, who joined the United States Navy! Thank
you, Carl and Karen, and thank you, Summer, for serving our country!
FIREWORKS 2025
Thank you to everyone who donated to the fireworks fund so far. Crockery Lake
fireworks are totally paid for from contributions from our lake residents and friends. In
order to enjoy the same show next year we need to raise a little more money: A total of
$7,500. At this time we have $6389! We need $1111 more to match this year’s fireworks
display. That’s all we need! Would you please donate so we can meet our goal by
December 31st?
They said they would do a show next year for the amount we have, but it could
possibly not be the same as this year due to rising costs. We would appreciate your
contributions and/or if you or your business would like to sponsor them that would be
great. Donations can be made via the website at: www.crockerylake.org
OR scan either the PayPal or Venmo QR code belowOR Send a check to: Crockery Lake Association ℅ Greg Slater, 2500
Crockery Shores Road, Casnovia, MI 49318
LAKE CLEAN UP FUNDRAISER
Watch your email for a fundraiser to help raise money for the lake
testing.
T-Shirts, Hoodies, and Polo shirts with our lake emblem on them.
Designed and printed by Lesha Gustin. Order forms will be delivered to
you and available on our website: www.crockerylake.org
END OF SEASON LAKE CLEAN UP
As we clean up this year there are a few things with lake front clean up to
keep in mind:
1. Please rake up your leaves when they fall and dispose of them
properly. Please do not rake or blow grass and leaves into the lake. When they rot in the water they
add to the phosphorus and nitrates in the lake. This will encourage algae to grow next year.
2. Clean fire pits out so that if we get high water that comes into the yard, the ash will not flow into
the lake.
3. Make sure all kayaks, floats, docks, swim rafts and toys are far enough away from the waters
edge so they will not float away if we get excessive rain or when the melt comes in the spring. Also, try to
have your name and contact information on these items.
4. Please clean up dog excrement during the winter. Melting snow will also carry this into the lake
and we know what e-coli does to a lake.
5. All boats and docks must be removed from the lake from December 15 to March 15 of each year.
6. Fall is a great time to plant some native plants to help maintain your shoreline.
~ Flowering plants would include: Marsh Milkweed, Swamp Aster, Joe Pye-weed, Boneset, Cardinal
Flower, Great Blue Lobelia, Jewelweed, Allegheny Monkey Flower, Sweet Gale, Ditch Stonecrop, Water
Smartweed, and Lizards tail. ~ Grasses include: Water Sedge, Bristly Sedge, Porcupine Sedge, Lake
Sedge, Tussock Sedge, Virginia Wild Rye, Baltic Rush, Soft Rush, River Bulrush, and Wool Grass. There
are also trees and shrubs that work well on shorelines. Plants will help protect your shore from waves
also.
For a complete list with more information and pictures of each plant go to
www.mishorelinepartnership.org/between-water-level-and-ordinary-high-water-mark.htmlRefer to this ad and receive $500 off a new roof or siding, Or 10% off gutters.
Call Bill Sare for your FREE estimate at 616-425-1395
Advertising in this newsletter is FREE to Crockery Lake Association Members.
Advertising for business is $25/year. Become a Corporate Fireworks Sponsor for a
minimum donation of $300.
Inclusion of any advertisement in the CLA Newsletter does not equate to an
endorsement by the Crockery Lake Association.CLA BOARD of DIRECTORS
President / Betsy Ludwick
Position Expires: 4/30/27
616.723.5704 / betsylud@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor, Website and Facebook page
Administrator
Vice President / Dan Atwood
Position Expires: 4/30/26
616.240.5670
Representing: 2833 - 2871 Crockery Shores, Kaycee
Lane, Crockery Woods
Treasurer / Greg Slater
Position Expires: 4/30/25
616.638.6930 / greg.gsesllc@outlook.com
Representing: 2221 Van Dyke - 2391 Van Dyke
Secretary / Paula Humphrey
Position Expires: 4/30/25
616.498.0363 / paulah2700@gmail.com
Representing: 2700 Van Dyke St - 2835 Van Dyke
Immediate Past President / Bob Blauwkamp
Position Expires: 4/30/24
616.957.9007 / rblauwkamp@gmail.com
Representing: 2332 - 2550 Crockery Shores, 24th
Ave, Hoover
Jason Beuschel
Position Expires:4/30/27
616.520.1108 / beusch1122@gmail.com
Representing: 2392 Van Dyke - 2516 Van Dyke
Blake Williams
774.836.7060 / Blake.a.williams@hotmail.com
Position Expires: 4/30/26
Representing: 2081 Van Dyke - 2211 Van Dyke
Bill Marks
Position Expires: 4/30/2026
616.430.8372 / williamjrix@gmail.com
Representing: 2563 Crockery Shores Road - 2798
Crockery Shores Road
Tyler Heitzman
Position Expires: 4/30/27
616.401.5444 / tdheitzm@gmail.com
Representing: 2519 Van Dyke - 2681 Van Dyke
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