Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Skookum Rendezvous Owners Association
Volume 3, Issue 4 August 1, 2016
Page 1
President’s Message: Bill Humphry
Are we having fun yet? Here it is welcoming August with the most beautiful weather in the country. We have seen many new visitors and new owners this summer. There have been over 32 lots sold or in the process.
July was very busy. Fire District 6 held an open house that was attended by it seemed everyone from Skookum. Fire Chief Alex Arnold provided information which included what he shared at the June Board meeting at Skookum. A survey is currently being con-ducted on the new property that will be purchased for the new station house in the heart of Skookum. We are all very excited on their progress.
Any updates will be released. For those who are registered voters in Pend Oreille County I encourage you to vote yes on the Levy. The ballots must be received by August 2nd. This is the cheapest insurance we can get.
Lenora Water & Sewer also held an open house to welcome all members and dis-played their facility. I want to take this time to thank the Board of Commissioners; Mike Conway, Mike Wenger and Richard Oliver. Water is really something we take for granted. Unless there isn’t any! The sewer speaks (?) for itself. They are also responsible for the irrigation/fire suppression water pumped from the river. So, please when you see these guys, give them a hand shake and a thank you for a job well done.
Pend Oreille Public Utility District held an open Board meeting on July 19th that was attended by approximately 30 Skookum Rendezvous owners. A discussion was held asking why the reconnect fee doubled from $100 to $200. The General Manager tried to equate a technician driving twenty miles downriver and up a small dirt road to get to a power box to service residents at Skookum. I don’t believe anyone bought that argument. Sev-eral alternatives were voiced to the Board. The Board stated they should have a decision by the end of August or September. A letter was sent to the Board thanking them for the opportunity to address our concerns about the increase of fees for electrical service re-connection. The ideas discussed were highlighted as well as pointing out they should also have more options available.
As discussed in the July Board meeting a dog park was addressed. We will have fur-ther discussions on this as far as locations and cost.
The open membership meetings of the Skookum Rendezvous and Camelot Shores are scheduled for Saturday, August 27th. The packages with all the information has been distributed to those who are on site and mailed to those who are not here. Please re-member to fill out your proxies for Skookum and Camelot if you are not sure you will be here. You can always cancel your proxy at the meeting. There will be three positions on the Board to be voted on. Nominations from the floor are always encouraged. This is your community. Get involved. There will be several people next year that will be up for reelection who will not be running so think seriously about doing your part and stepping up to the plate. Being on the Board is your opportunity to make this a better place.
Office Open: Tue — Sun
10:00—3:00
509 445-0115
E-mail:
Committee Meetings
• Activities 2nd Fri 10 am
• ARC every Mon 8 am
• LWSD first Tue 10 am
Camelot/Skookum Own-
ers Assoc. Board meetings:
Sat. Aug 27 @ 9:00 Camelot
9:15 Skookum
Inside this issue:
Manager’s Update Editors’ Comments
2 2
Meet Your Neighbors 3
Committees & Volunteers
4
Work Projects Lenora W&S Report
5 5
Community Events 6
Unabridged Dictionary 6
Skookum Rendezvous Owners Association
White Pelicans
A Word from the Resort Manager
Skookum Rendezvous
It’s another lovely day. We awoke early to watch a captivating full moon set in a west-
ern sky. We had seen it the night before climbing through a tall pine tree. Now fog is rising, placing a white curtain in front of it. How ironic that a few drops of water can cover a huge moon. Soon we are watching ten white pelicans in flight. Below them the train pulling five cars, rumbles across the river. Silence engulfs us. How blessed are we to live a few months or more in Skookum Rendezvous. And it is only seven in the morn-ing. Across the river, white smoke lifts from the paper factory. It is condensed water vapor, symbolizing, as it dissipates, a life of dreams. We look at the no-wind, glassy sur-face of the river and at our kayaks. Should we ply the calm waters or shall we pull weeds today? Not a hard decision.
Once again we are impressed with the team spirit and volunteerism of our small community. The support for our Activities Committee; the support for our volunteer Projects Volunteer Coordinator, Steve; the support for our local fire department at their open house; The support of our local playwright Maggie Brown. And we applaud the thirty-one people who attended the PUD meeting to question their rate hike.
Go Skookum.
Volume 3, Issue 4 August 1, 2016
Page 2
With the summer heat well upon us, so is the summer traffic. The Resort is experi-encing the busiest season in all the years I have been around. With the sale of 32 lots means many new owners and fresh faces. I hope you take the time to say hello and make everyone feel welcome and appreciated.
With increased traffic comes the need for more services. We have placed a dump-ster in the Guinevere area as a convenience until a permanent location can be devel-oped. We realize this is not the prettiest solution but please understand that it is only temporary.
By the time you are reading this, a burlap barrier will have been placed in the swim area making the area a little more appealing if you want to take a dip. Our waterfront is a special feature so we hope this attempt to clean-up the water produces great re-sults. Now we need a little sand and the beach will be complete.
Ray Dilcox Resort Manager www.skookumrendezvous.com 509-445-0115
Editor’s Comments—Danny Motola
Skookum Rendezvous Volume 3, Issue 4
August 1, 2016 Page 3
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
Norma and Roger Laws Lot 161
Norma and Roger met in Orofino, ID when she left N.
Dakota after graduating from college and got a job where Roger’s sister worked. Roger was raised and went to school in a 1-room school house there in heavy farm coun-try. The two were married in 1966, moved to Lewiston for 1 year then on to Bremerton, WA for 3 yrs. Now, raising a daughter, Norma worked as bidder in a large equipment company while Roger worked in the ship yard. When Roger was transferred to Hermiston, OR to work in the Army Depot, Norma worked in the medical field. Finally, they settled in Boise, ID where they built their own house, Roger worked for the Federal Protective Service and even-tually for the VA inspecting Health and Safety. Then joined OSHA and became inspector of logging and construction. And finally, investigator of on-the-job fatalities. Norma in the meantime had worked her way up to a position in the IRS and finally the Office of Appeals, based in Portland. Both of them traveled extensively and looked forward to their retirement in 1995. They sold their house, bought a 5th wheel and became full-timers for 2 years. Roger found Skookum Rendezvous on the internet; they came, liked it but waited until 2008 when the lots became ‘deeded’ land.
Asked what they like most at Skookum; both answered, “The people and social life, and the gym at Camas Center.”
Their favorite activities are planned outings, and events. Hobbies include carving gourds and playing his guitar (Roger); cooking and tending to her flowers (Norma). Both have contributed much to the community. During their 8 years here, Norma served 5 years on the Board of Direc-tors, 6 years on the ARC committee and is currently on the Activities Committee.
They also delight in watching their two grandsons develop into fine young men.
LOCAL AUTHOR HOLDS BOOKSIGNING
Bob Weldin, busily signing copies of his new book (a sequel to The Dry Diggins Club) is supported by Lola, who is encouraging him to work on his next mystery novel. Danny and I have already read it and we’re impressed with the fast-paced, adventure-filled pages and amazed at the amount of background information that Bob provides. ‘Write what you know’ is drilled into authors and Bob cer-tainly has a wealth of experience to draw from. His new book, The Adventurists is available on Amazon.com or directly from Bob.
Photo by Ann Wenger
COMMITTEES Volunteers are the backbone of our Community
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE:
Betty Gauthier 43—Chair
Dianne Hoyt 6
Maggie Brown 71
Lorna Accornero 88
Barbara Meyer 104
Terry Slinde 158
Norma Laws 161
Lola Weldin 180
Jane Dershem 191
Mary Beth Kelly 194
Sherry Bloomer 12N
Linda Armendariz 13N
Christine Nevitt G-52
ARC—LOT STANDARDS
Dee Blanpied
Steve Kollar
Dean Selhay
Diane Shantz
Jeff Sloan
Bob Ford—Board Liaison
Skookum Rendezvous
FINANCE/BUDGET COMMITTEE Candis Selhay—Chairperson
Volume 3, Issue 4 August 1, 2016
Page 4
CC&Rs REVIEW COMMITTEE Dawn Powers—Chairperson Ray Dilcox Betty Gauthier Danny Motola Vicky Perssons
LENORA WATER & SEWER Commissioners:
Mike Conway, lot# 53—Chairperson
Richard Oliver, lot# 124
Mike Wenger, lot# 98
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE—Betty Gauthier, Chairperson
Well, we had a full July … hope you were able to be a part of some or all of our social events.
Since the day we had “Games of the Green” wasn’t real warm— we weren’t able to USE all the water balloons we had filled—so watch your E-mails for a notice from us saying a ‘water bal-loon fiasco’ will happen—the date to be announced on a really hot day In August when a balloon fight will feel SO GOOD.!!
Our August calendar is just as full— if not fuller— than July. I’m sure you can find something you like; grab a calendar in the kitchen, above the credenza and
keep it handy. Posters for each event AND their sign-up sheets are put up on the board approxi-mately 2 weeks in advance. If it is an event that we need you to sign up for (i.e. a dinner) we always appreciate your signing up ASAP since we have to shop for ingredients, etc. and it helps to know how many will be coming.
Hope to see you at one or more events—the Activities Committee wants to make your sum-mer a FUN one.
Activities Calendar
Lorna Accornero
Projects Volunteer Coordinator
Steve Kollar, Chairperson
Lot 182
Skookum Rendezvous Volume 3, Issue 4
August 1, 2016 Page 5
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR NEXT PROJECT
Looking around the park, obvious areas that need attention are: Wed Aug 3 clean up between gazebo and beach. Wed Aug 17 clean up front entry.
Need mowers and weeders both days.
Any interested volunteers can contact: Steve at space 182 or cell (951) 500-1116.
Lenora Water & Sewer—July Report
We are a public water district of Pend Oreille County. Our customer base is 245 at this time (increased last year by 10 with new customers). This has been a busy past year with the completion of the new water treatment facility and the beginning of the metering process. We, the Commissioners, are proud of what has been accomplished and the quality of water provided to our customers.
Our new treatment facility produced about 255,000 gallons in May. Our water is monitored daily by Mike Con-way, the Certified Water System Operator. Our treated water hardness is consistently 1 or less. The distributed wa-ter chlorine level is 0.9 to 1.2 mg/l (goal is 0.5 to 4). Arsenic is less than 1ppb (goal is less than 10). We have a pro-duction well and a backup well. Our drain field is fully functioning and is located about 1.5 miles from Skookum, east of LeClerc Rd. We are very pleased with the functioning of the new treatment facility and the consistent quality of the treated water.
The loan that facilitated the construction of the treatment plant for the required arsenic removal has been closed. This loan has a 50% forgiveness clause for LWSD. The first payment is due in October. We are able to make the loan payment with the current customer rates. The loan also allowed us to purchase the meters needed for our district. The installation of meters was a contingency of acceptance of the federal loan money, but also allows LWSD to have a better handle on how water is used throughout the resort.
We have received approval for a plan to meter the lots along Lenora and Guinevere with no meters required in Skookum phase 1 and 2. This limited metering plan is, in part, because we have river irrigation water. Please do your part and always use the irrigation water for lawn/plant watering and vehicle washing. Installation of meters on some lots should not change rates for anyone in our community. Our Maintenance Manager, Larry Riplinger and his assis-tant, Monte Bluff are installing the meters. Lenora has purchased a backhoe and small tractor to do this work and other repairs when needed. Owning the equipment rather than renting provides significant savings for the District. Please feel free to attend our monthly meetings (first Tuesday each month).
Commissioners: Mike Conway, chairperson Mike Wenger Richard Oliver Office Manager: Joni Stillian
15 of us enjoyed a personalized tour of the Forest Bird Aviation Museum and Invention
Center which included a delicious luncheon
Thanks to our Activities Committee!
One of the many outings and luncheons
planned last month.
Be sure to check the Calendar for more.
LINKS AREA AMENITIES & HISTORY
CURRENT COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Northwoods Performing Arts: www.circlemoon.webs.com
49deg ski events: www.ski49n.com
Community links: www.newport-wa.org
Community calendar: www.newportareachamber.com
Create arts: www.createarts.org
Water Trail: www.pendoreilleriver.com
Volume 3, Issue 4 August 1, 2016
Page 6
Skookum Rendezvous
Newsletter Editors: Maureen & Danny Motola
Submit corrections or additions to:
KAYAKERS KORNER
Check Bulletin Board for Sign-up sheet.
DON’T FORGET TO SUPPORT OUR FIRE
DISTRICT #6 BY YOUR VOTE
Nixel Emergency Alerts – By signing up with
Nixel you will receive community and emergency
advisories from the Pend Oreille County 911 call center. There is
no cost and information is texted to your phone. To sign up go to:
http://local.nixle.com/city/wa/newport/
A River Runs By It—Mike Wenger
We feel blessed to live along the Pend Oreille River, but sometimes we worry about the river and the dam's influence. Understanding can increase our appreciation of the rise and fall of the river as a normal rhythm, not unlike the ebb and flow of life. Our river runs 130 miles from Lake Pend Oreille north into Canada where it joins the Colum-bia River. The Pend Oreille River provides one third of the Colum-bia's flow and is the second largest river in Washington. It is one of 20 rivers in the United States that run north.
We are downstream 15 miles from Albeni Dam, which is oper-ated by the Army Corp of Engineers. Power generation and flood control are two major purposes of this dam. The Albeni Dam allows Lake Pend Oreille to be lowered in the fall and winter. The lake wa-ter released at this time is used to generate power at this high usage time of year. In the Spring, increased lake levels occur as Lake Pend Oreille catches the Spring snow melt from western Montana to refill the lake for summer enjoyment. Prior to the dam, Cusick was often flooded in the spring.
There are water release rules that are followed at the dam, that includes a minimum daily release volume that must be met. The aver-age daily release at the beginning of July at Albeni Dam was about 20,000 cubic feet/second (cfs). This is a higher volume of release than the outflow of the Colorado River below Lake Powell (13,000 cfs) on average at the same time. We live on a big and beautiful river!
Sixty miles downstream from us near the Canadian border is Boundary Dam. Seattle City Light operates this dam, which produces one third of Seattle's power. The river reservoir is 300 feet deep behind the dam. The dams on the river do help keep our water levels high for our enjoyment. Pee Wee Falls, accessible by boat one mile from Boundary Dam is a thing of beauty.
Our river is a beautiful and precious resource. Enjoy!
ABREVIATED UNABRIDGED
DICTIONARY OF
AVIATION TERMS
Dew Point — Fictitious Temperature to confuse already uncertain pilots.
Drift — The direction conversations go between pilots at a party.
Final Approach — Deadstick landing.
Flame Out — Your girl found a pilot with a better airplane.
Forced Landing — Your only option after Deadstick.
Glide — Quiet approach.
Go-around — What you can’t do when gliding.
Pilotage — Something to lie about.
Prime — When the pilotage is over 30.
Mo and Danny Motola
Don’t miss the Premiere stage play of Appetizer Murder,
Designed and Directed by Maggie Brown.
written by the formidable team of Maggie, Mo & Dan.
One-time performance Aug. 13 4:00 pm
Price of admission — an Appetizer To Die For
