I see by the lights going up around the lake that another
holiday season is upon us. But I guess that also means another year is waning.It was a tough year for me in some ways but
also a joyful year with the birth of my grandsons Paul and Jacob.They are our first so I’m sure we are a bit enthralled;
they are so cute and are growing very fast.I’d like to thank all of you for the thoughts and prayers for me and my
family.My prognosis is very good so you
won’t be rid of me so very soon.
2010 brought some new residents to the lake and some new
homes.I’d like to welcome all of new
families who have joined the Lake this year
and hope to get to know all of you better next year.There was also some residents who have died
this year, please accept my condolences for your loss.
The winter was a tough one so it was nice to see the spring
come.But we learned a lot about snow
and hopefully we’ll be better prepared for the next blizzard.The summer came in on a strong wind this year
which brought a lot of activity to the lake.My thanks to all of you for what you did to keep the lake looking nice
in the after math of the storm.There still
are a few projects in the works but I’m sure those will be behind us by the
spring.
I think for the most part everyone was pretty well behaved
this year. You could hear some wedding bells in the distance as summer flew by
and quickly turned into fall and it was a beautiful one. But just because the
boats have all been put away we shouldn’t forget about safety. This is the time
of the year when the lakes are first starting to freeze over. So the big safety
hazard is falling through the ice.If
you’re planning to venture out on a lake this time of year please be aware of
the ice thickness.See the chart posted
on the side of this page.Because of the
bubblers at the docks ice thickness can vary which makes our lake a bit more
hazardous.
All of the boats should be nestled in their rooms for winter
by now but if yours is still sitting in your drive, please make haste, so that
your boat may get enough rest for the next season.If you have not registered your boat with me
please send me the info or give me a call so I can get it registered.Boats
come and go out here like the seasons and some times it’s hard for me to notice
new ones. I am planning on reviewing all boat registration in the spring before
I pass out keys so lets get it taken care of this winter so we don’t have to do
all that last minute running around.
Well that’s about it for this post.Remember the annual meeting is come up
shortly, I think it’s on March 8th this year at Champions. Stay tuned
and I’ll keep you posted.Please feel
free to drop me an email with any opinions or concerns I always am open to
input.See you all next year and have a
great Holiday Season.
Rich Melkus
Lake
Manager
Happy 4th of July,July 1, 2010
Safety, safety, safety always think safety!The Fourth of July weekend always seems to be
the busiest so please slow down a bit and keep an eye out for the other
boats.If you have guests out this
weekend please make sure they know all the lake rules, better yet only allow
family members to operate your boats on the lake.I would also like to remind everyone of a few
rules that have been overlooked lately.
Only
boats that are registered through the home owner’s assoc. are allowed on
the lake.You can not invite your
friends or relatives to bring their boats out.
Also any
one 14 to 17 years old must have completed the State Boaters Safety course
to operate a boat.If you are under
14 you can not operate any motorized watercraft.
Everyone
must have a life jacket on at all times if skiing, tubing or on a personal
watercraft.’
It is
unlawful to jump a wake within 50 yards of another craft.
It is
unlawful to jump the wake of any boat towing skier, tuber etc.
You
must be at least 16 to tow a skier or tuber etc.
Raise
an orange flag when a skier or tuber is down in the water.
Every
boat has a load limit.Know what
yours is and abide by it.
Behind
the buoys in the coves is a no wake Zone! This means you should be going
slow enough not to create white water on the boats wake.
If you
are boating after sun down you are in a no wake zone on the entire lake.
Your
boat must have proper lights if boating after dark.
These are just some of the rules that must be followed to
have an enjoyable boating weekend so study up and pledge to have a safe summer.
Just a reminder fire works are on Sunday night.The rain date is on Monday.
Have a pleasant weekend.Think…Be Courteous.
Rich,
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
June 14, 2010
Memorial Day weekend turned out to be fairly decent weather
wise.In talking to some of the
residents there were some concerns about the boating rules.Mostly I heard that some were not following
the traffic pattern.It sounded to me like
it was mostly the jet skis but some boats as well.On crowded weekends it is most important to
follow the traffic pattern if you are not aware of what I’m talking about
please go here.The next complaint I had
was not slowing down in the no wake zones. And also one boat was observed going
to fast after dark with no lights.Please follow the rules of boating after dark.Boats must have proper lighting and follow
the 5 mile an hour no wake rule on the entire lake.Boating safety must be our number one
concern.Please make it a topic in your
family discussions. Being safe and courteous to each other on the lake this will
increase enjoyment for all.If you are
new to the lake and are not sure of the lake rules please feel free to give me
a call.
“Rain, rain go away and come back again another day.”Not to mention the high wind that came with
it.The lake is beginning to look like a
boat lift grave yard.I understand,
because of the storm, a need for boats on trailers but please do not abuse the
situation. Please keep your boats and trailer put away if at all possible.Also try to get the broken lifts and such off
the empty lots as soon as possible.I
know insurance adjusters move slow but please let them know of the problem.The rain has also delayed the weed treatment
while we wait for some of the extra water to spill out.
I’ve had some of the residents offer to help with tree
trimming.I thought, Saturday June 26th, might be a good date. So if any of you
would like to help please send me an email.I will try to get thinks set up.I thought the morning would be best, say 8 to noon.
The recent warm weather reminds that indeed summer is upon
us. Pomp and Circumstance plays in the background as some on the Lake
Graduate and move on to new and
exciting parts in their lives.I also
hear some wedding bells ringing in the near future.My congratulation to all those who have
graduated this spring and to those who will be married this summer I hope your
lives will be full wonder.
Yes this weekend is Memorial Day weekend boy it was a long
time coming.This past year has also
brought some sadness to the lake as some loved ones have passed on.So this weekend as we remember those who have
died let us also remember the responsibility we have to our neighbors to
conduct ourselves in a safe manner as we enjoy our lake this summer. Please
refresh your minds with the boating safety rules and see to it that all your
friends who visit the lake are also aware of our rules especially those
particular to our lake.
I’m assuming that most boats have been launched this spring
or will be soon. So please get those trailers put away so I don’t have to be a
nuisance.If you have recently bought a
new boat and have not registered it with me please do so as soon as possible.I’ve noticed that many of you have boats with
great potential please realize that this is a relatively small lake and some
restraint must be used.
Finally I would like to welcome all the new residents to the
lake.If you see new people that you
don’t recognize please stop and take time to get acquainted.I hope as this lake grows in numbers it will
remain small in respect to community.As
we have to be our own promoters of safety on the lake I think this can best be
done with mutual respect among friends.
I think Most of survived the long hard winter but we look forward to
another summer of lake activity. I have most of the keys to the boat
ramp passed out. If you have not yet received one please give me a call
at 510-9039 as I may have missed you or maybe there is some other
reason. Remember to receive a key you must be current with your dues
and have a boat registered with the Homeowners Assoc. Some of you I
have not found at home so give me a call and let me know how I can get a
key to you. I will be busy this coming weekend so keep that in mind.
Rich
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
January 12, 2010 Happy New Year to All!
Well
we've had a successful start to the New Year as I have remembered to
type 2009. I'd like to welcome all the new residents who have joined the
Newport Community this year. I look forward to getting to know you
better through out this up coming year. If you have any questions you
can call me or send me an email through the "contact us Link". Please
take time to review the covenants and review these pages and you'll have
a great start toward fun filled lake life.
The New Year also
brings us to the annual Lake and Homeowners Meeting coming up in March,
you should receive more information about it in the mail soon. You can
also keep an eye on the meetings page for more info as it comes
available. If you do not receive a letter let me know so I can make
sure your on the mailing list.
I am not at the lake on a regular
basis in the winter so if you see of any thing that might be in need of
urgent care let me know. The one issue that seems to crop up during the
windy winter months is blowing trash. This can not always be avoided
but can be helped by making sure your cans are covered and your loose
trash is in bags when it is set out for the trash man. I do try to pick
up anything I see while I'm out there plowing snow and such but
I appreciate your help in this matter. Also Christmas trees float so
don't throw them in the lake. I will pick them up from the re-cycler if
I need any for fish cover. If your one of those people that keeps them
up until March or April well you might give me a call then. Also please
read the winter safety rules to find out more about winter on the lake.
So I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Susie And I
enjoyed a joyous Christmas this year at home. Our boys and
daughter-in-law were all home and we had a great time together. I wish
you all a happy and prosperous New Year, see you in the spring.
Rich.
ARCHIVE 2009
Dear Residents, Sept. 10 2009
Labor Day turned out to be a beautiful weekend but a sad one.The weekend boating accident, I’m sure, struck us all hard.I’m sure all our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved especially the Mahoney family.I was in hopes of never having to write a post such as this but it reminds us all to make boating safety our number one priority.Please take this opportunity to sit down with your family to review all the boating rules and safety regulations contained on this web site:
With school just a few days away we are reminded that the boating season is also winding down. But I'm sure there are many more days of fun yet to be had on the lake. In light of this summers tubing accident I though it would be good to review some tips on pulling tubers and skiers.
Tips for the Boat Operator
The rules of the road do not provide any special privileges for vessels towing skiers. The safety and welfare of the person you are towing is largely in your hands. There is no room for horseplay within the operator’s scope of responsibility. Remember that tubers have no ability to steer and are completely dependent upon you for their safety.
Resist the temptation to turn around and monitor the skier. The observer should be watching to ensure the skier’s safety and let you know if problems arise. Keep your focus on your direction of travel and maintain a course that keeps the skier away from other boats, the shoreline, or any other hazards. Many accidents occur because the operator was watching the skier and failed to see hazards ahead.
Be aware that the towline can cut like a knife. Before pulling the skier or boarder up, make sure the towline is not caught in the propeller or wrapped around the person being towed. Never accelerate until the skier is grasping the towline handle, with the ski or board in proper position, and signals readiness to be towed. Ease the throttle at first, slightly increasing your speed to provide smooth acceleration until the skier is up on plane. The boat operator should adjust the boat’s speed according to the skier’s ability. A good speed for beginners, depending upon weight and ski size, is 18-25 MPH.
Never make sharp turns with the boat, especially if the skier is cutting sharply outside the wake on either side. If an approaching obstacle forces you into an unexpected turn, throttle back as you turn. Signal the turn to the skier, remembering that it is better to dunk the skier than risk an accident.
When a skier falls, the operator should return without delay. Other boaters may not easily see the skier in the water, and the presence of your boat may keep other boats away from the vicinity of your skier. Since many towing-sport injury accidents are the result of improper operation by the driver during skier pick-up, use good safety practices. Approach with caution, from the driver’s side, so the skier is always in view and on your side of the boat. NEVER back the boat up to a person in the water. Shut the engine off when the boat nears the skier so there is no danger from the propeller. When the engine is idling, even in neutral, the propeller may still be turning and can injure an unwary skier, or entangle and cut the towline. In addition, anytime the engine is on, carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger. Repeated or prolonged exposure, even in the open air environment, can cause fainting and subsequent drowning. If a skier falls and is injured, proceed with caution. Any injury may be aggravated by trying to pull the person from the water and onto the boat. Get into the water to support the skier until help arrives or the nature of the injury is known.
Tips for the Observer
In addition to relaying the skier’s and operator’s signals, the observer is responsible for watching the skier at all times. Having an observer (who must be at least 12 years old) on board allows the driver to give full attention to the variety of tasks necessary for safe motorboat operation. This includes maintaining a proper lookout; failure to do so is one of the leading causes of boating accidents.
Tips for the Skier
Be alert for cross-wakes, partially submerged objects, swimmers, rafters, or anything else that might come between you and the boat. The law requires that you wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while being towed. It will allow you to rest in the water while waiting for the boat, protect the rib cage and cushions falls, and its bright color will help others on the water to spot you. Ski belts are not Coast Guard approved and do not offer positive protection to a fallen or unconscious skier.If you know you are going to fall, relax. Try to make a smooth water entry. Never fall forward over the top of your skis. You can stop quickly by letting go of the rope, sitting back over your skis, and putting your hands in the water on either side of your body to increase drag, or resistance. After falling, hold a ski up vertically in the air to warn approaching boats.
Skiing, boarding or tubing in cold water or weather increases your risk of hypothermia, so wear a wet-suit if appropriate.
When finished skiing, make sure all gear is secured in a storage rack or tied down, and all lines are safely stowed. Injuries have resulted from boards falling off racks, tubes blowing overboard, or boat occupants becoming entangled in ski lines. Read more..
It has been suggested that Newport Landing start a Neighborhood Watch group. If anyone one is interest in participating and or leading a Watch Group please drop me an email. You can learn more about the program by clicking here.
Well it sounds like we have a pleasant weekend coming up which should make for a good Independence Day celebration. Just wanted to add a couple of more thoughts.
Remember to keep an eye on your pets. Many times they try to run from all the noise. It seems this happens every year at about this time. One resident dog has already gone on the lamb this week. Luckily a kind neighbor took it in till the owner was found.Small dogs especially are in great danger if they fall in the lake so lets all help out by keeping an eye on our resident pets. Please give me a call if you find one or loose one. Also it is a good idea to get a ID tag for your dog, they sell them at pet stores, this would help bring your pet home sooner.
If you are having your own fire work display please be careful. Remember also to clean them up when the display is over. That empty lot next door might be empty but it still belongs to some one.
So as always be courteous, think safety and have a great Holiday.
We have a big weekend coming up shortly. Yes July th is almost upon on us. Again this year the fireworks will be on July 4th with a rain date on the 5th. Hopefully the rain will be behind us by then. I hope everyone will have a safe and fun holiday here at the lake or where ever else you might be.
A big thanks to all of you for putting away your trailers when I asked, it really helps to have such cooperative people to work with. The following is a notice I have handed out to those who have had trailers parked about. I think it had a very good response so for the rest of you who didn't get one I thought I would post it as a review of the covenant concerning boats and trailers. _____________________________________________
Dear Residents,
It seems every year we get more and mare trailers sitting around on lots and driveways. Now that the Home Owner’s and LakeAssoc. is in full control of the covenants we are trying to do a better job in re-enforcing the rules. The following is the section regarding boats and trailers.
ARTICLE III
BOATING RESTRICTIONS
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<!--[endif]-->Permitted Watercraft and their trailers, may be parked or stored on a Lot for no longer than 24 consecutive hours unless stored in the garage.Notwithstanding the foregoing, Permitted Watercraft on trailers may be parked in a driveway of a Lot during the 15 day period between April 15 and April 30 and October 15 and October 30 to permit Owners to ready their Permitted Watercraft for usage and/or storage.
Please help us in regards to this matter by planning ahead and putting your trailers away in a timely matter.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Rich Melkus
LakeManager
________________________________________
Again, thank you for such a great response! I hope I will never have to take further action to enforce this rule.
Some of you may have heard of the recent sad news at West Shores the following is an article describing the accident:
New Details: 30-Year-Old Jennifer Dwyer Dies in Tubing Accident
Omaha, NE - A night on the lake turns deadly, best friends out for some fun, now deal with death and blame. It's a sad day for the community of West Shore Lake near Waterloo.
Two women; critically hurt after the Sheriff's Office says their water-tube smashed into a boat dock. One woman did not make it.
Life-saving measures are taken. Paramedics attend to two women in desperate need of help. The tubing accident sends 29-year-old Kimberly Spangler to the hospital with back injuries. Her close friend, 30-year-old Jennifer Dwyer suffered internal injuries. She later died.
Neighbors tell Action 3 News, they came out onto their deck and saw a boat flying towards them, they looked away and that's when they heard a big boom. The women flew from the water to the beach. The Sheriff's Office tells Action 3 News, Kimberly's husband, 30-year-old Todd Spangler drove the boat. They arrested him for suspicion of boating under the influence of alcohol. However, according to his lawyer, he says alcohol had nothing to do with the accident. "The cause of death was that the ladies when they went around the turn, fell off the intertube and skidded across the surface of the water," said Attorney, James Martin Davis.
Spangler's lawyer wants people to know the man cared deeply for his friend. He was Dwyer's husband's best man in their wedding. "Now he not only lost her but he's sitting there hoping that he doesn't lose his wife. She, up until this morning, wasn't really conscience," said Davis.
As for neighbors in the area, they want this to be a lesson for all boaters. "I'm sick to my stomach because this could happen to anybody, this could happen to anybody," said President of the Neighborhood Home Association, Carol Hoffman.
Sheriff's Deputies are still investigating at the scene. They impounded Spangler's boat and will turn over their evidence to the county attorney
I hope this article will act as a reminder of the need for safety. Our lake rules forbid boating any closer than 30 feet from a dock, please pay attention to this rule! I think it may be especially dangerous going through the west bridge as the docks are rather close. If you are hauling tubers or skiers please slow down as much as possible when going through the bridge. Remember that a tuber can not steer away from any danger. If you are pulling a tube please be aware and go slow when near any obstruction. I'm sure we do not want to have Newport on the evening news. Also there should be no skiing or tubing after sundown. This might also add as a reminder not to boat under the influence.
I'm sorry that I have been behind this spring with the web page, but I was having problems with my editor but hopefully they have been resolved. So have a happy holiday and please be careful. There are some new boaters on the lake this year so be neighborly and help those who may not be experienced at boating. If you see a new face give them a big welcome and help them out. Have a Happy Fourth! Rich
March isn't really going out like a lamb this year but at least the ice is gone and the water is starting to warm slightly. Which means boating looms in the near future. I've started passing out the 2009 ramp keys as I have changed the lock. If you are ready to get your boat in and have not yet received your key give me a call to make arrangements to get your key.
I've already received a couple of new boat registrations this year. So if you have acquired a new boat please send in your registration. If you are new to the lake this year or have never registered a boat you need to do so before you can receive a ramp key. Follow the registration link or give me a call if you have any questions regarding this.
If you are under eighteen and want to operate a boat or jet ski here at Newport you must first take a boating safety class, it's the law. There will be one offered in Bennington this year on April 29th. Follow the link to register for this class or others that will be coming up soon.
Stop back again for more lake, boating and fishing information.............
Look out lake here we come!!
January 4, 2009
Happy New Year to All!
Well we've had a successful start to the New Year as I have remembered to type 2009. I'd like to welcome all the new residents who have joined the Newport Community this year. I look forward to getting to know you better through out this up coming year. If you have any questions you can call me or send me an email through the "contact us Link". Please take time to review the covenants and review these pages and you'll have a great start toward fun filled lake life.
The New Year also brings us to the annual Lake and Homeowners Meeting coming up in March, you should receive more information about it in the mail soon. You can also keep an eye on the meetings page for more info as it comes available. If you do not receive a letter let me know so I can make sure your on the mailing list.
I am not at the lake on a regular basis in the winter so if you see of any thing that might be in need of urgent care let me know. The one issue that seems to crop up during the windy winter months is blowing trash. This can not always be avoided but can be helped by making sure your cans are covered and your loose trash is in bags when it is set out for the trash man. I do try to pick up anything I see while I'm out there plowing snow and such but I appreciate your help in this matter. Also Christmas trees float so don't throw them in the lake. I will pick them up from the re-cycler if I need any for fish cover. If your one of those people that keeps them up until March or April well you might give me a call then. Also please read the winter safety rules to find out more about winter on the lake. Just click on the picture to the left.
So I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Susie And I enjoyed a joyous Christmas this year at home. Our boys and daughter-in-law were all home and we had a great time together. I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year, see you in the spring.
Rich.
Dear Residents, Sept. 10 2009
Labor Day turned out to be a beautiful weekend but a sad one.The weekend boating accident, I’m sure, struck us all hard.I’m sure all our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved especially the Mahoney family.I was in hopes of never having to write a post such as this but it reminds us all to make boating safety our number one priority.Please take this opportunity to sit down with your family to review all the boating rules and safety regulations contained on this web site:
With school just a few days away we are reminded that the boating season is also winding down. But I'm sure there are many more days of fun yet to be had on the lake. In light of this summers tubing accident I though it would be good to review some tips on pulling tubers and skiers.
Tips for the Boat Operator
The rules of the road do not provide any special privileges for vessels towing skiers. The safety and welfare of the person you are towing is largely in your hands. There is no room for horseplay within the operator’s scope of responsibility. Remember that tubers have no ability to steer and are completely dependent upon you for their safety.
Resist the temptation to turn around and monitor the skier. The observer should be watching to ensure the skier’s safety and let you know if problems arise. Keep your focus on your direction of travel and maintain a course that keeps the skier away from other boats, the shoreline, or any other hazards. Many accidents occur because the operator was watching the skier and failed to see hazards ahead.
Be aware that the towline can cut like a knife. Before pulling the skier or boarder up, make sure the towline is not caught in the propeller or wrapped around the person being towed. Never accelerate until the skier is grasping the towline handle, with the ski or board in proper position, and signals readiness to be towed. Ease the throttle at first, slightly increasing your speed to provide smooth acceleration until the skier is up on plane. The boat operator should adjust the boat’s speed according to the skier’s ability. A good speed for beginners, depending upon weight and ski size, is 18-25 MPH.
Never make sharp turns with the boat, especially if the skier is cutting sharply outside the wake on either side. If an approaching obstacle forces you into an unexpected turn, throttle back as you turn. Signal the turn to the skier, remembering that it is better to dunk the skier than risk an accident.
When a skier falls, the operator should return without delay. Other boaters may not easily see the skier in the water, and the presence of your boat may keep other boats away from the vicinity of your skier. Since many towing-sport injury accidents are the result of improper operation by the driver during skier pick-up, use good safety practices. Approach with caution, from the driver’s side, so the skier is always in view and on your side of the boat. NEVER back the boat up to a person in the water. Shut the engine off when the boat nears the skier so there is no danger from the propeller. When the engine is idling, even in neutral, the propeller may still be turning and can injure an unwary skier, or entangle and cut the towline. In addition, anytime the engine is on, carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger. Repeated or prolonged exposure, even in the open air environment, can cause fainting and subsequent drowning. If a skier falls and is injured, proceed with caution. Any injury may be aggravated by trying to pull the person from the water and onto the boat. Get into the water to support the skier until help arrives or the nature of the injury is known.
Tips for the Observer
In addition to relaying the skier’s and operator’s signals, the observer is responsible for watching the skier at all times. Having an observer (who must be at least 12 years old) on board allows the driver to give full attention to the variety of tasks necessary for safe motorboat operation. This includes maintaining a proper lookout; failure to do so is one of the leading causes of boating accidents.
Tips for the Skier
Be alert for cross-wakes, partially submerged objects, swimmers, rafters, or anything else that might come between you and the boat. The law requires that you wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while being towed. It will allow you to rest in the water while waiting for the boat, protect the rib cage and cushions falls, and its bright color will help others on the water to spot you. Ski belts are not Coast Guard approved and do not offer positive protection to a fallen or unconscious skier.If you know you are going to fall, relax. Try to make a smooth water entry. Never fall forward over the top of your skis. You can stop quickly by letting go of the rope, sitting back over your skis, and putting your hands in the water on either side of your body to increase drag, or resistance. After falling, hold a ski up vertically in the air to warn approaching boats.
Skiing, boarding or tubing in cold water or weather increases your risk of hypothermia, so wear a wet-suit if appropriate.
When finished skiing, make sure all gear is secured in a storage rack or tied down, and all lines are safely stowed. Injuries have resulted from boards falling off racks, tubes blowing overboard, or boat occupants becoming entangled in ski lines. Read more..
It has been suggested that Newport Landing start a Neighborhood Watch group. If anyone one is interest in participating and or leading a Watch Group please drop me an email. You can learn more about the program by clicking here.
Well it sounds like we have a pleasant weekend coming up which should make for a good Independence Day celebration. Just wanted to add a couple of more thoughts.
Remember to keep an eye on your pets. Many times they try to run from all the noise. It seems this happens every year at about this time. One resident dog has already gone on the lamb this week. Luckily a kind neighbor took it in till the owner was found.Small dogs especially are in great danger if they fall in the lake so lets all help out by keeping an eye on our resident pets. Please give me a call if you find one or loose one. Also it is a good idea to get a ID tag for your dog, they sell them at pet stores, this would help bring your pet home sooner.
If you are having your own fire work display please be careful. Remember also to clean them up when the display is over. That empty lot next door might be empty but it still belongs to some one.
So as always be courteous, think safety and have a great Holiday.
We have a big weekend coming up shortly. Yes July th is almost upon on us. Again this year the fireworks will be on July 4th with a rain date on the 5th. Hopefully the rain will be behind us by then. I hope everyone will have a safe and fun holiday here at the lake or where ever else you might be.
A big thanks to all of you for putting away your trailers when I asked, it really helps to have such cooperative people to work with. The following is a notice I have handed out to those who have had trailers parked about. I think it had a very good response so for the rest of you who didn't get one I thought I would post it as a review of the covenant concerning boats and trailers. _____________________________________________
Dear Residents,
It seems every year we get more and mare trailers sitting around on lots and driveways. Now that the Home Owner’s and LakeAssoc. is in full control of the covenants we are trying to do a better job in re-enforcing the rules. The following is the section regarding boats and trailers.
ARTICLE III
BOATING RESTRICTIONS
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<!--[endif]-->Permitted Watercraft and their trailers, may be parked or stored on a Lot for no longer than 24 consecutive hours unless stored in the garage.Notwithstanding the foregoing, Permitted Watercraft on trailers may be parked in a driveway of a Lot during the 15 day period between April 15 and April 30 and October 15 and October 30 to permit Owners to ready their Permitted Watercraft for usage and/or storage.
Please help us in regards to this matter by planning ahead and putting your trailers away in a timely matter.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Rich Melkus
LakeManager
________________________________________
Again, thank you for such a great response! I hope I will never have to take further action to enforce this rule.
Some of you may have heard of the recent sad news at West Shores the following is an article describing the accident:
New Details: 30-Year-Old Jennifer Dwyer Dies in Tubing Accident
Omaha, NE - A night on the lake turns deadly, best friends out for some fun, now deal with death and blame. It's a sad day for the community of West Shore Lake near Waterloo.
Two women; critically hurt after the Sheriff's Office says their water-tube smashed into a boat dock. One woman did not make it.
Life-saving measures are taken. Paramedics attend to two women in desperate need of help. The tubing accident sends 29-year-old Kimberly Spangler to the hospital with back injuries. Her close friend, 30-year-old Jennifer Dwyer suffered internal injuries. She later died.
Neighbors tell Action 3 News, they came out onto their deck and saw a boat flying towards them, they looked away and that's when they heard a big boom. The women flew from the water to the beach. The Sheriff's Office tells Action 3 News, Kimberly's husband, 30-year-old Todd Spangler drove the boat. They arrested him for suspicion of boating under the influence of alcohol. However, according to his lawyer, he says alcohol had nothing to do with the accident. "The cause of death was that the ladies when they went around the turn, fell off the intertube and skidded across the surface of the water," said Attorney, James Martin Davis.
Spangler's lawyer wants people to know the man cared deeply for his friend. He was Dwyer's husband's best man in their wedding. "Now he not only lost her but he's sitting there hoping that he doesn't lose his wife. She, up until this morning, wasn't really conscience," said Davis.
As for neighbors in the area, they want this to be a lesson for all boaters. "I'm sick to my stomach because this could happen to anybody, this could happen to anybody," said President of the Neighborhood Home Association, Carol Hoffman.
Sheriff's Deputies are still investigating at the scene. They impounded Spangler's boat and will turn over their evidence to the county attorney
I hope this article will act as a reminder of the need for safety. Our lake rules forbid boating any closer than 30 feet from a dock, please pay attention to this rule! I think it may be especially dangerous going through the west bridge as the docks are rather close. If you are hauling tubers or skiers please slow down as much as possible when going through the bridge. Remember that a tuber can not steer away from any danger. If you are pulling a tube please be aware and go slow when near any obstruction. I'm sure we do not want to have Newport on the evening news. Also there should be no skiing or tubing after sundown. This might also add as a reminder not to boat under the influence.
I'm sorry that I have been behind this spring with the web page, but I was having problems with my editor but hopefully they have been resolved. So have a happy holiday and please be careful. There are some new boaters on the lake this year so be neighborly and help those who may not be experienced at boating. If you see a new face give them a big welcome and help them out. Have a Happy Fourth! Rich
March isn't really going out like a lamb this year but at least the ice is gone and the water is starting to warm slightly. Which means boating looms in the near future. I've started passing out the 2009 ramp keys as I have changed the lock. If you are ready to get your boat in and have not yet received your key give me a call to make arrangements to get your key.
I've already received a couple of new boat registrations this year. So if you have acquired a new boat please send in your registration. If you are new to the lake this year or have never registered a boat you need to do so before you can receive a ramp key. Follow the registration link or give me a call if you have any questions regarding this.
If you are under eighteen and want to operate a boat or jet ski here at Newport you must first take a boating safety class, it's the law. There will be one offered in Bennington this year on April 29th. Follow the link to register for this class or others that will be coming up soon.
Stop back again for more lake, boating and fishing information.............
Look out lake here we come!!
January 4, 2009
Happy New Year to All!
Well we've had a successful start to the New Year as I have remembered to type 2009. I'd like to welcome all the new residents who have joined the Newport Community this year. I look forward to getting to know you better through out this up coming year. If you have any questions you can call me or send me an email through the "contact us Link". Please take time to review the covenants and review these pages and you'll have a great start toward fun filled lake life.
The New Year also brings us to the annual Lake and Homeowners Meeting coming up in March, you should receive more information about it in the mail soon. You can also keep an eye on the meetings page for more info as it comes available. If you do not receive a letter let me know so I can make sure your on the mailing list.
I am not at the lake on a regular basis in the winter so if you see of any thing that might be in need of urgent care let me know. The one issue that seems to crop up during the windy winter months is blowing trash. This can not always be avoided but can be helped by making sure your cans are covered and your loose trash is in bags when it is set out for the trash man. I do try to pick up anything I see while I'm out there plowing snow and such but I appreciate your help in this matter. Also Christmas trees float so don't throw them in the lake. I will pick them up from the re-cycler if I need any for fish cover. If your one of those people that keeps them up until March or April well you might give me a call then. Also please read the winter safety rules to find out more about winter on the lake. Just click on the picture to the left.
So I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Susie And I enjoyed a joyous Christmas this year at home. Our boys and daughter-in-law were all home and we had a great time together. I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year, see you in the spring.
Rich.
Archive 2007
June 18, 2007 Dear Residents,
Just thought I'd give everyone and update on the lake. Recently I've had some calls about the green color of the lake, the answer is algae. "The algae we all see in the water was probably caused by the spring fertilizer (nitrogen) from our yards and cornfields. It was washed into Newport Landing lake with the heavy spring rains we have had for about 6 weeks. Since there are few weeds in the water at this time to utilize the nitrogen, we get more algae production in the water. The algae "bloom" is not all bad news because it is helping shade the deeper water so sun will not penetrate to the bottom and help weed growth. The water also becomes turbid due to the heavy rains and winds stirring up the bottom mud. Again, this helps prevent sun penetration to the bottom where the weeds are. Algae are also beneficial as they are a portion of phytoplankton that help feed our bluegills and crappie. It is our hope that the turbidity of the water along with our chemical treatment will prevent any excessive weed growth this year."
May 4th, 2007
Dear Residents,
I thought I'd take this rainy day to talk about the upcoming boating season. Everyone should have a new ramp key by now. If you have not yet received one please give me a call and I will make arrangements with you.
The next topic is safety. Boats are going on the water now and the water is slowly warming which means more water activity. Of course the first step to safety is to follow the rules. Make sure your family and guests know the rules. If you allow guests to operate your water craft make sure they know the traffic pattern and the rules of boating etiquette. Make sure you have plenty of insurance because you are liable for whatever happens while others are operating your water craft. You can learn more by following the "Lake Map" and "Boating Safety" links to the left.
Believe it or not that's my twin sister and me boating back in the fifties. Get a load of the wood boat and especially those bulky life jackets I think they were made of all natural materials. Even my dad has one on although it may be a bit small. My dad was never one for shorts. (Skinny legs I think)
Times and eqipment have changed over the years but safety laws have not. Anyone 13 and under must wear a PFD (life jacket) it's the law. Even if they are good swimmers. I personally think very small children should were them while playing in the yard. It's funny how some will put a PFD on their dog but not on their kids or grandkids. Think ahead if you invite guest out to go boating make sure you have vest for them to wear that are the right size. I also might add anyone regardless of age needs to wear one while skiing or while on a jet ski.
Another complaint I've heard voiced are jet skiers jumping wakes too close to other boats. The rule here is no closer than 50 yards that's half the length of a football field. You should be even further away if following a skier or tuber. Those of you pulling a skier be sure you know the safety rules and hand signals.
If you see a buoy, whether you can read it or not, means this is a NO WAKE ZONE! Please slow down whether coming or going.
Once again the safety motto "THINK AND BE COURTEOUS". There are many safety issues I could cover but the point is we need to be responsible and constantly work at making this a safe lake. If we all work together and keep safety on our minds I'm sure we can have another great boating seasons.
Rich
PS A hint. Print out the safety pages on this site and hang them up or keep them handy for review.
It has been suggested that Newport Landing start a Neighborhood Watch group. If anyone one is interest in participating and or leading a Watch Group please drop me an 
Well it sounds like we have a pleasant weekend coming up which should make for a good Independence Day celebration. Just wanted to add a couple of more thoughts.
© 2005 NewportLanding.net • All Rights Reserved