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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Here I sit hoping my brain will break through the sludge of incoherent thought in the dead of winter wondering if spring is actually hope eternal. My fingers seem in danger of freezing to the keyboard, but the hope of warmer temperatures keeps me from hiding under warm blankets. I have found one sure way to surviving the cold, heartless winds of winter is to get out there! Bob and I discovered the joys of snow tubing and cross-country skiing with the kind of friends we have never experienced in any other place we have lived. We often comment to each other what a unique community we are so fortunate to be a part of. Venture out to brave the cold during our annual Winter Fest to be held Saturday, February 14th at the Peck's Marina. Take part in snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating (if weather permits), go on a horse drawn sleigh ride, warm your toes by the fire and consume a hot dog or two at the concession stand. Call Bill Nitsche at 725-1849 if you would like to help out that day or for additional details.
The Spring Cleanup of our roadways always needs an abundance of volunteers and this year will be no exception. Bring your gloves and clear plastic bags along with a dish to pass to start the day right at Joanne Wheelock's, 241 South Shore Road, 773-3271, on Saturday, May 1st. Rain is no deterrent!
It has recently come to my attention that individuals not residing here have been observed "cruising" the neighborhood on suspicious-seeming errands. Your Board is checking into the possibility of bringing a Neighborhood Watch to the lake to help safeguard your property. However, there are a number of precautions you can take to lower your exposure to unwanted attention from thieves and the like. Have your driveway plowed during times of absence, locking your doors while away for a period of time, keeping lights on timers when away and asking your neighbors to check on your home periodically. Be aware of vehicles or activities that seem out of the norm and let your neighbors know of your suspicions. Have someone walk down your walkway or driveway periodically to have it appear to be regularly in use.
There are many activities and social events that take place all year round but none more important than helping out our neighbors and friends that make up this wonderful community that we live in.
Embrace winter!
Nancy J. Allen
Winterfest "2004" Saturday February 14, noon till 4 PM at Peck's Marina Come and bring your family and friends to our annual winter fun day!
This month's issue, as always, included our Calendar of Events and a listing of our Officers, Board Members & Committee Chairpeople.
Welcome new Peck's Lake property owners:
PLPA DIRECTORY As the PLPA prepares to update its directory, please provide changes in address, phone numbers, etc. to PLPA treasurer, Russ Hogue at 371-6915. To place ads in the directory, contact Evelyn Kirschenfeld
Ski Lapland Saturday, March 1st all Peck's Lakers & their guests are invited to ski Lapland Lake Saturday, March 1, 2003. Call Dave Pratt at 725-6460 or Bob Ireland at 725-4512 by February 28th for details & to register, save $2. Lapland opens at 9am. To receive the reduced price, be certain to register, and say that you are from Peck's Lake when you purchase your tickets. Rental equipment, snack bar at the ski lodge, or bring bag lunch. Join us for fun day!
Maps, Guidebooks and Directories for sale for $3 each. Contact Jeanne Brenno, 725-9041
FISH STOCKING The Fish Stocking Committee WILL NOT be collecting Christmas trees this year. We also discourage the placing of brush piles in the lake. Neither of these methods is a long-term solution to our habitat structure problem. The placing of brush piles in the lake additionally may create navigational problems or the brush may wash up on someone's shore if not properly secured or ill placed. We encourage property owners to refrain from clearing their shorelines, removing vegetation, and clearing stumps or rocks away. These areas provide much-needed habitat for young fish and where you find small fish, you'll find bigger fish! Also, check the regulations regarding removal of vegetation or otherwise altering your shoreline at the APA Website. These regulations are also included in the PLPA Guidebook.
Our first stocking of fish will occur in a few weeks. We will be purchasing 560 pounds of fathead minnows, a baitfish common to Adirondack waters and the same baitfish we stocked last year. These fish live in shallow, weedy waters and can breed 3 or 4 times a year if the temperatures are ideal.
Bottle drives will begin again in April - watch for notices at the mailboxes for the dates. In the meantime, if you have bottles to donate contact Paul Nestork at 725-9115.
Town of Bleecker Dog Control Officer - Stephen Manzer: 773-2412
Bleecker Winter Parking From the 1st day of December to the following 1st day of April, no person shall park a vehicle between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. upon any roadway in the Town of Bleecker. Local Law 42-1992
Thanks!
Website Report The password has changed! It is now "holidaypoint" and the user name remains "plpa". Both are case sensitive.
| Town of Bleecker North Shore residents - recycling pickups are the first and third Thursdays of the month. Town of Bleecker South Shore and Town of Johnstown residents - recycling pickups are the second and fourth Fridays of the month. If the date is a holiday, no pickup will be made for that date, resulting in only one pickup for that month. [In the Town of Bleecker ONLY, refuse pickup is Wednesday of each week. If that date is a holiday or a holiday falls earlier that week, pickup is delayed by one day. (There is NO refuse pickup in the Town of Johnstown.)] Please do not place recycling or refuse out sooner than the night before pickup! | ||
| Acceptable Items | Preparation | Unacceptable Items |
|---|---|---|
| Newspapers Magazines, junk mail Office paper Phone books Color inserts, ads | Tie in bundles or put in a paper or clear plastic bag. Put inside a clear plastic bag in wet weather | Hardcover books Carbon paper Gray board such as cereal, tissue or shoe boxes |
| Corrugated Cardboard Heavy duty packing boxes only | Flatten and tie in manageable bundles Put inside a clear plastic bag in wet weather | Pizza boxes Gray board such as cereal, tissue or shoe boxes Paper egg cartons Hardcover books |
| Glass Clear, brown & green glass Food jars Beverage bottles and jars | Remove & dispose of caps. Rinse containers. Put in a clear plastic bag. Combine with plastic bottles, aluminum & tin cans. | Windows, mirrors Light bulbs Automotive glass Ceramics & pottery Plates & cups |
| Aluminum & Tin Cans | Rinse clean of food residue. Put lid inside can. Pinch top sides together. Put in a clear plastic bag. Combine with glass containers & plastic bottles. | Paint cans Aluminum foil |
| Plastic Bottles Milk jugs, water bottles Detergent & liquid soap containers Shampoo bottles Windshield washer jugs | Remove & dispose of caps. Rinse, flatten, if possible. Put in clear plastic bag. Combine with glass containers and tin & aluminum cans. | Tupperware, toys Motor oil, antifreeze bottles Styrofoam, flower pots Pill bottles Tub type containers Bags full of bags |
| Additional hints: Labels do not need to be removed. Pizza boxes, margarine tubs, yogurt cups and cereal boxes are NOT recyclable. The Latex Paint Exchange is held every Saturday morning from June-August at the Department of Solid Waste from 7:30 to11:30 am. Drop off your good, re-useable latex paint, or take up to 5 gallons. This free program is open to Fulton County residents only. Bring your old paint, pool or gardening chemicals, auto fluids and home care items (such as paint stripper or varnish) to the fifth annual Household Hazardous Waste/Computer Equipment Drop-Off on August 14 from 7:30 to11:30 a.m. at the Department of Solid Waste. You must have an appointment (736-5504). | ||
Country Living by Esther P. Neal
While walking or snow shoeing over the trails and snow covered fields in deep winter, you may be lucky enough to see a Ruffed Grouse. It may startle you out of your boots as it jump-starts out of the snow right in front of you! This heavy-bodied, chicken-like bird is a ground feeder and can be tracked over the fields; its prints are about 2 inches long, about Crow size. These birds live in our area all year long.
In spring, breeding time, they may be heard drumming on a log. Raising and beating their wings rapidly causes this sound, which can carry for a mile!
It is a male bird that drums and for good reason. He wants a mate, he wants to warn other males away from his territory and to protect his private area. Drumming will go on for quite a long time. To actually see one in the act is not common, as they are wiley birds and can hear you approach. In some parts of the country these birds are known as partridge or even pheasant.
The Grouse nests are difficult to find as they are scratched out under a log or tree roots and are then covered with leaves. There are usually 9 to 15 buff-colored eggs, but occasionally more and sometimes a few less. Incubation is by the female alone. The males often take more than one mate. Mother raises the brood but in a few days the young are running about getting their own food under the leaves and grass. They feed on fruits and buds as well as young tree leaves. They do not conflict with wild turkeys, which depend very much on beechnuts and acorns.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the low flying Grouse!
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