DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN...

you knew you were getting close to Berry Lake when you smelled the mint fields along Blueberry Road (now Hwy R)???

(please share a memory and add your comments!)

BERRY LAKE ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY COMPETITION

The annual competition this year was "Through the Decades @ Berry Lake". There was a lot of rock n' roll and disco to be heard and all who participated did a great job! It was a difficult decision for the judges, but finally all came to a consensus...

Tied for 1st place were the Holman and Lenz families!!! Both families did an awesome job. The Holman's offered wonderful bribes as they always do, and did a great job portraying the Beatles. They even had a real beetle dishing out the bribes!!! One note from the judges, however...we'd suggest that Ringo get some drum lessons before the Holman family attempts this again! Elvis appeared on Berry Lake this year and he was part of the Lenz family's great performance (we noted that he's lost quite a bit of weight since his last sighting!) The Lenz family set the scene and thought of every detail...drive-in theater, Twister, Wonder Woman, and platform shoes to name just a few. On a judge's note...all would love a ride in that car before the summer's over!!!

In second place was the Weyenburg family! They had the best go go girls, afro, and signage. They also had the best drummer (sorry Sigrid!). Peace Out man!!!

In 3rd place was the Van Pietersom family! The family built the most awesome sand castle you'd ever want to see on Berry Lake...those boys will grow up to be architects some day! They also had the the best bribes.

And an honorable mention went to the Stein family! Better late than never for their 2009 rendition of Berrylakers. Loved those stars, Ginny!

The judges also noted the great patriotic displays at Mark DePrey and the Lang properties this year.

THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND WHO MADE THIS ANOTHER GREAT 4TH @ BERRY LAKE!

Berry Lake grant

The Town Board tonight agreed with the majority of Berry Lake Stakeholder's Committee members (and BLPO members) to include an introductory paragraph to the recommendations being submitted to the DNR. It is understood that this is a request, and that this paragraph does not hold any legal authority. They changed the wording to say: "It is recommended that any public or private studies/grants of Berry Lake be brought before the stakeholders prior to execution of the study. This is requested to keep stakeholders and committee represented groups informed. A process is needed to provide adequate communication and planning between the study group and stakeholders before any studies are granted and undertaken. These studies can provide valuable information on a natural resource, but we must respect the rights and needs of the stakeholders in the process. We request that future studies be brought before the stakeholders before proceeding".

The positive picture that Brian Ewart tends to paint is far from the truth, as indicated by Jon Morrow in a previous email to our list. The truth is that one Berry Lake resident left Monday's Stakeholder meeting before it even started due to extreme frustration with the way this committee is being run. Another truth is that this meeting (as well as several past meetings) ended in a screaming match between Brian and other Stakeholder's Committee members as well as Berry Lake residents who were in attendance.

This Stakeholder's Committee was organized as a requirement of the first grant with the Town of Underhill. Brian Ewart wrote the grant and also wrote up who was to serve on this committee. If I hadn't petitioned this committee early on for more representation for the BLPO, we would still have just one representative serving on it instead of three. This committee does not abide by Robert's Rules of Order (there are no motions made and seconded, and majority rule does not apply)...and if Brian is disagreement with other committee members, the meeting does not move forward and arguments ensue.

Needless to say, the past two years have been very frustrating for those of us who have been dragged into the middle of things. My personal opinion is that I would like to see Brian Ewart stop working independently of the BLPO board and its members; and I have strong concerns that he will continue to pursue studies for our lake despite the request of the majority of BLPO members and the Stakeholder's Committee. I feel that the existing Stakeholder's Committee needs to regroup, with more structure and with more input from the BLPO. And although anyone can legally apply for any grant (as long as they have the backing of a Township, a County, a Tribe, or a Qualified Lake Assn), I would hope that the BLPO would be made aware of anything that may potentially affect the residents here.

I would like to offer the opportunity for anyone else who has an opinion, one way or another with regards to the events that have happened here within the past few years, to voice their opinions through our Berry Lake blog. Kay Rankel, Sec-Treas, BLPO

Berry Lake Tshirts 2009

Berrylakers are able to purchase NEW INKJET T-SHIRTS, of better quality than those available in 2008, for $7.00 each. The design on the shirts was created by Berrylaker Ginny Stein. They are white with an image of the point and the words Berry Lake Wisconsin (see photo above).

Payment must be received prior to June 14th, 2009 (no orders will be taken after this date) and they will be available by July 12th, 2009.
Make your check out to the: BERRY LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS, PO Box 492, Gillett, WI 54124

PRICE

$7.00 for BLPO members ($8.00 for size XXL)

$15.00 for nonmembers ($16.00 for size XXL)

SIZES

ADULT: S/M/L/XL/XXL

CHILD: XS(2/4),S(6/8),M10/12),L(14/16)


EMBROIDERED MERCHANDISE is also available to Berrylakers this year. A local embroidery shop called Hillcrest Custom Embroidery (N5539 Hillcrest Drive, Shawano, WI) has done the digitization for us as before, with an image of Berry Lake and the words Berry Lake Wisconsin around the lake image. They are located midway between Cecil and Shawano on Hwy 22. Berrylakers will be able to take any merchandise to them at any time of the year and pay $6.25 per item for the Berry Lake embroidery. They also have several items in their store (like polos, Tshirts, and jackets) that you can purchase and have embroidered there.

Spring is here!

Mia Stein-Kodzick is the winner of this year's ICE-OFF CONTEST, and she wins a 1938 reproduction Berry Lake map! This year's date was April 5th. Congratulations Mia and welcome spring!

ICE OFF CONTEST!

It won't be long now before we're putting in our docks and polishing up our boats and skis. All BLPO members are welcome to submit their guess for the date that Berry Lake will break open this spring. Mail your guess to berrylakewi@gmail.com. before March 28, 2009 and win a prize (yet to be determined)!

FYI...Here are the dates that the ice broke in years past:
2003 - April 2
2004 - April 5
2005 - April 7
2006 - April 1
2007 - March 26
2008 - April 16

WE'RE FAMOUS!- MOVIE RECOMMENDATION

The next time you're in the mood for a movie, why not check out "RIDE WITH THE DEVIL", based on a novel by Daniel Woodrell..a romantic Western that follows 4 people who are fighting for truth and justice amidst the turmoil of the American Civil War, starring Tobey Maguire and Jewel. In one of the scenes, a letter is read aloud that originated from Berry Lake Wisconsin!!!


Although this is an older movie produced in 1999, it should be available through your area Library System (I know it's available through OWLSnet in northeast Wisconsin).

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Berrylakers John & Nancy Lehman who reported this news and gave the recommendation!