PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
Hello Fellow Residents,
 
Your lake association has been doing a lot this summer.  Board members and other volunteers have been conducting scientific tests trying to learn where pollutants are entering our lake and have also been working to keep the channel between Hubert and Clark open.  We have been helping residents reduce property taxes and preserve property for future generations.  We’ve also been in contact with many governmental bodies including the 30 Lakes Watershed District, the DNR, police and sheriff’s departments, highway departments, and others to communicate residents’ concerns.
 
Our website, www.LakeHubert.org, has been called the best Lake Association website around.  If you haven’t visited it recently, you should.  There are many wonderful photos of the 4th of July boat parade and lots of great information too.
 
To learn more about your opinions and concerns, we have recently mailed a survey to you.  Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and mail it back before the end of September.  Your answers are very important to us and will help to determine the future direction of the Association.
 
Thank you,
Chuck Corchran, LHCA President
 
QUICK NOTES:
 
 4th OF JULY BOAT PARADE A GRAND SUCCESS
This year’s 4th of July parade was the best yet!  We counted approximately 65 boats and many docks were filled with spectators waving flags.  It takes all kinds of participation to make this annual event a success.  We hope to see you next year in your boat or on your dock!
 
LAKE HUBERT HATS AND SWEATSHIRTS
Hats are still available for $12 from Newby Gruenhagen.  Her e-mail address is gruenhagen@charter.net or you can reach her via phone at 218.963.3018.  Christmas is coming and if you are looking for gift items check with Newby about shipping costs or shop with Nick at Appaloosa Ridge in Nisswa for sweatshirts (218.963.7955).  They still have sweatshirts in stock and if you mention that you are a member of the Association, a contribution will be made to our emergency fund.
 

TREASURER’S REPORT
SYNOPSIS AS OF August 12, 2005
 
Full details are provided at the annual meeting and thereafter to the Board at their meetings.

If you desire more detailed information, please contact the Association at the mailing or email addresses listed on the front page.

 
As of August 12, 2005

General Fund Income $29,075.30
General Fund Expense $10,530.76
General Fund Balance  $18,544.54
 
Depot Fund Income $6,217.14
Depot Fund Expenses $688.05
                                  Depot Fund Balance  $5529.09
 
General Fund + Depot Fund Balance   $24,073.63
Emergency Fund CD Balance   $14,534.58
Cote Endowment Savings Interest Income   $263.17
 
As of August 12, 2005, we have 145 regular and 45 associate members who have paid this year’s membership dues.  That translates to 73% of the LHCA members.  THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS!
 
 

Some Questions We've Been Asked
 
Question:  Why do we continue to collect dues when we don’t seem to be spending what we collect?
 
Answer:  Water management for lake associations has become an ever increasing challenge as we struggle to keep our water clean and to try to keep unhealthy vegetation and inhabitants out of our waters.  To date, we have been successful in controlling Curlyleaf Pondweed, but other threats (such as Eurasian Milfoil or zebra mussels) will enter our lake at some point in time.  Lake associations who are already dealing with active threats to their water quality and healthy fish populations are spending thousands and thousands of dollars in their efforts to eliminate or contain these threats - with differing degrees of success.
 
The Board has decided to be pro-active against the threats and is seeking to grow a fund that will be available for emergent situations that require immediate action, as opposed to long range planning. The plan will not give us all of the funds that we might need, but could be used as matching funds for grant money or as the beginning of a campaign to raise serious dollars, should the need arise.
 
Question:  What are the general guidelines for keeping a septic system healthy and what, in particular, should we do to prepare for winter.
 
Answer: Minnesota State Guidelines state that a septic tank should be inspected and/or pumped every three years.  That being said, each residence is unique and the health of each system is determined by the frequency and intensity of use as well as the size of the holding tank and what gets put into the system.
 
Lint producing fabrics like cotton and linen place added stress on a septic system, lining the holding tank with the small fibers that are not filtered out during the washing cycle. There are now filters that can be purchased for your washing machine that will collect lint that normally would pass into the holding tank.  These filters can significantly increase the life of a pumping station (if your system has one) and your tank.  Check with your service provider to see what is recommended as there are several varieties on the market and some are more effective than others.
 
Several years ago, many of the winter residents learned the hard way about frozen septic systems. One of the more vulnerable spots turned out to be the pipe leading from the house to the septic tank because of inadequate insulation. Residents at that time were told to use leaves or other insulating material in a 6 foot wide area over the pipe area as well as the area directly above and surrounding the holding tank.  The drain fields, while benefiting from insulation, seemed less vulnerable.  Part of the reason is the fact that the bacteria forms in the holding tank creating a source of heat that helps to protect the drain fields, especially when combined with insulation from above.  For expert advice we called Tony Fyle of Fyle’s Honeywagon and he shared the following with us:
 
For winter preparation:
 
Visually inspect your entire system, paying particular attention to the condition of the white plastic PVC pipes.  These pipes are directly connected to the underground system, and if the caps are missing or any of the pipes or caps are cracked, they should be replaced.

Make sure that the white PVC pipes are marked and visible - even in the presence of snow!  If you do have a problem, it will be more easily managed if you know exactly where the pipes are, even if they are covered in snow.

Cover the top of your septic system with leaves, especially if the cement top is showing.  There is no insulating value in cement and exposure makes the possibility of a frozen system more likely.  Tony says that more is better with the leaves (or straw) and you can also use a rigid 2” foam board over your entire system.  A covering of 2” foam board equates to 3” of soil.
 
ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
 
 NEWSLETTER EDITOR
The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm thank you to Barb Peterson for her many years of service as the Association Newsletter Editor.  Her efforts have made a major contribution toward our goal of keeping our membership informed about topics of importance and interest and we ask you to extend your personal thanks for a job well done when you see Barb.
 
We want to thank Jan and Mandy Pierce who did most of the work in creating this newsletter. Chuck Corchran and John Holbrook did the final edit.
 

2005 ANNUAL MEETING  HIGHLIGHTS
 We were pleased to welcome several new members to our annual meeting, including neighbors from Bass Lake.  In addition, we had a large attendance of friends and neighbors from all parts of Lake Hubert.
 
Outgoing President, John Holbrook, was presented with a gift of appreciation from the association after he and other Board members had given their reports.
 
Our guest speaker was Al Cibuzar from A&W Research.  He gave a presentation based on November fly-overs of the Lake in an ongoing project partially funded by the Cote Foundation.  The fly-over data gave a general picture of the “hot spots” on the lake which could be caused by differing nutrient flow, water depth, underground water sources, failing septic systems or just general geology.  Further study of the findings is the next step.
 
Al also talked about the geological history of the lake and the fact that Lake Hubert was once (thousands of years ago) part of a much larger body of water called Lake Brainerd.

2006 ANNUAL MEETING - DATE SET
 Please note that the 2006 Annual Meeting of the LHCA will be on June 17, 2006 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, east of Sportland, on County Road 13.  This information is also posted on the website.
 
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE- WE NEED YOU!!
At the direction of the Board, Chuck and Marcia Corchran, Jan Pierce, Harold Stewart, and Dennis Tack recently participated in a two-day leadership development training session as a part the Healthy Lakes & Rivers Partnership.
 
Input from the Association membership is a key part of the planning process.  We need Association members to tell us what is most liked about the lake and how to preserve it.  We also need to identify concerns so we can try to address the issues that are most important in keeping our lake environment healthy.  The process of getting your input has begun with a survey of the Lake Hubert residents. The survey has already been sent to you.  It is our hope that you will take a few minutes to complete and return it.
 
BURNING REGULATIONS
Several questions have been asked this summer about burning rules and regulations.  All burning, except for campfires, requires a permit.  On the permit is a list of things that cannot be burned, as well as an agreement on your part to not burn paper or cardboard.  If you do have a campfire anywhere near the lake, you are encouraged to move the cooled ashes away from the water because the ashes are phosphorus rich and can feed unwanted algae growth, resulting in lower water clarity.
 
ZEBRA MUSSELS FOUND IN MILLE LACS
The DNR has reported that two zebra mussels were found in different locations on the northwest side of Mille Lacs Lake.   As you may know, these invasive mollusks have also been found in nearby Lake Ossawinnamakee, in Lake Superior and in several Minnesota rivers. Zebra mussels are the ONLY freshwater mollusk that can firmly attach itself to solid objects - submerged rocks, dock pilings, boat hulls, water intake pipes, etc. They can become a severe problem and can, we've heard, cut swimmer's legs like little knives.
 
To prevent the spread of zebra mussels, DNR officials are asking boaters to remove all aquatic plants, drain water from their boats and bait buckets, and wash them with hot water before launching them on other bodies of water. (Please note that it is HOT water that must be used to wash boats, not just water, as the microscopic larva may not be removed by cold water and cannot be seen by the naked eye).
 
DNR SHORELAND RULE UPDATE PROPOSALS PRESENTED TO COUNTY BOARD
A meeting conducted by the DNR was recently held in Brainerd to inform the Crow Wing County Commissioners about proposed changes in the Shoreland Management Rules under Governor Pawlenty's Clean Water Initiative. Those of you who have e-mail were notified before the meeting by the Lake Hubert Association.  New proposals include limitations on dock size and shore stations, the amount of sandy beach allowed per property, and new lakeshore restoration guidelines.  The meeting, which was open to the public, reportedly had 250 - 300 people in attendance.
 
It should be noted that the proposed rule changes are in the early informative stage and we are told that no immediate decisions or changes will occur.  We have also been told that the local municipalities are required by law to hold public hearings and then each municipality will determine its own guidelines.  Although it was reported earlier that the open meetings for Crow Wing County and Nisswa would be held in late fall or early winter, it is now anticipated that the meetings will be held in the spring when seasonal residents are more likely to be here.  We will try to keep you informed as more information becomes available.
 

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
 

Our dues are $10 per year and are collected by our treasurer, Doris Bergersen, in September.  For more information ask a neighbor who belongs or contact Nancy Hall at njhall@arvig.net or 218-963-7523.

 
ST. FRANCIS:  It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord.  The Suburbanites.  They started calling your flowers “weeds” and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD:  Grass?  But it’s so boring.  It’s not colorful.  It doesn’t attract butterflies, birds, and bees - only grubs and sod worms.  It’s temperamental with temperatures.  Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  Apparently so, Lord.  They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green.  They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant the crops up in the lawn.

GOD:  The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast.  That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS:  Apparently not, Lord.  As soon as it grows a little, they cut it, sometimes twice a week.

GOD:  They cut it?  Do they then bale it like hay?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  Not exactly, Lord.  Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD:  They bag it?  Why?  Is it a cash crop?  Do they sell it?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  No, sir - just the opposite.  They pay to throw it away.
 
GOD:  Now let me get this straight.  They fertilize grass so it will grow.  And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  Yes, sir.

GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat.  That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

 
ST. FRANCIS:  You aren’t going to believe this, Lord.  When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD:  What nonsense.  At least they kept some of the trees.  That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself.  The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer.  In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes.  Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil.  It’s a natural circle of life.

 
ST. FRANCIS:  You’d better sit down, Lord.  The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle.  As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD:  No.  What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  After throwing away the leaves, they go out and by something which they call mulch.  They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD:  And where do they get this mulch?

 
ST. FRANCIS:  They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD:  Enough!  I don’t want to think about this anymore!  St. Catherine, you’re in charge of the arts.  What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

 
ST. CATHERINE:  “Dumb and Dumber,” Lord.  It’s a real stupid movie about…

GOD:  Never mind.  I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.